The UWHARRIE and DUTCHMAN CREEK TRAILS
The beginning point for the southern end of both trails in on Highway 24-27 10.5 miles west of Troy, NC. As you travel along either trail you will see examples of multiple-use forest management in action.
The trees you wee growing in young hardwood and pine plantations are the source of our future lumber and pulpwood. Much of the larger timber that you pass will reveal signs of being thinned in past years. These thinnings improve the areas and allow more wildlife foods to grow, greater numbers of wildflowers and other plants to be present, as well as letting the remaining trees grow faster.
Many forest animals are abundant in this area. Wildlife management efforts utilizing well placed fields and other openings, protection of den trees, periodic control burning, and other modern techniques help to assure that our animal friends have a healthy future. Deer. Squirrel, quail, rabbits, chipmunks, owls and hawks are just some of the wildlife species you may see.
Trails are closed to motorized vehicles under the Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan for the National Forest in North Carolina.
UWHARRIE TRAIL: The Uwharrie Trail runs in a northerly direction for some 20.5 miles to State Road (SR) 1306. The trail intersects several state roads as shown of the map, which you may wish to use as access points. It is marked with white blazes. A trail head parking lot suitable for cars and buses exist at each end of the trail. A third parking lot is located at NC Highway 109 and the trail intersection.
DUTCHMAN’S CREEK TRAIL: This trail begins on the southern end of the same trailhead as the Uwharrie Trail. It is 9.5 miles and is marked with yellow blazes. It was constructed as a loop system around the Uwharrie Trail and can be used as an alternate route when hiking the southern portion of the Uwharrie Trail.
CAMPING: Your map indicates three primitive camping sites accessible from the Uwharrie Trail by spurs (marked with yellow blazes). These serve as god jumping-off points for base camping and hiking of the trail.
WOODRUN CAMP: Located .5 miles off the Uwharrie Trail and 2 miles from the Highway 24/17 trail head on Forest Service Road (FSR) 517. Pit toilet available; no drinking water.
YATES PLACE CAMP: Located at the intersection of FSR 6746 and SR 1146, about .5 miles off the Uwharrie Trail. Pit toilet available; no drinking water.
WEST MORRIS MOUNTAIN CAMP: Located on FSR 549 near the intersection of paved SR 1303, one mile off the Uwharrie trail by way of West Morris Mountain Loop Trail. Eighteen camping spurs with fire pits; Pit toilet; no tables or drinking water.
Other primitive camping sites (no facilities) exist along the trail. Some, but not all, are marked on the map. You may camp anywhere on the National forest land except in wildlife fields and at trail heads, but please be sure to leave your campsite clean by not leaving any structures and packing out all trash. Live trees may NOT be cut – use dead wood. Small campfires are permitted, but the use of a pack-stove is recommended. Be sure your fire is out when you leave!
Before using any water from streams it must be purified. Bring water to a rolling boil for one full minute prior to using.
For more information on the UWHARRIE AND DUTCHMAN’S CREEK TRAIL contact: District Ranger, U.S. Forest Service, Troy, NC 27371. Phone :910-576-6391. The ranger station is located 2 miles east of Troy on Highway 27.