White Pines Preserve in Sanford, NC

By
Real Estate Agent with None
Confluence of Rocky and Deep Rivers
We recently discovered a nature preserve near Sanford. The land for the preserve is located where the Rocky and Deep Rivers come together in Eastern Chatham County. It is less than a 20 minute drive from Sanford (directions here) but the roads to the preserve are not well marked.  The road becomes gravel at one point and there is a no outlet sign.  No Outlet signs on gravel roads usually mean its time to turn around but the preserve starts just past the sign. Road to White Pines Preserve
White Pines sign After passing the No Outlet sign and a road end sign, the road turns to the left and the first sign for the preserve is on the right. The parking lot and trail head sign is just past this sign. There are no restrooms at White Pines preserve and it is pretty undeveloped except for a few trails. It is almost as if no one wants it discovered. That makes it perfect for as a quiet get away spot.We decided to explore the preserve the second Sunday in November when the area leaves were near their peak. We really enjoyed a quiet afternoon walking the trails and seeing nature.
We followed a trail out of the parking lot that looked like an old roadbed. The leaves on the trees were beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange. The trail gently sloped downward and we kept going to an overlook area in this lovely wooded spot. After enjoying the overlook we took a trail descending toward the river. White Pines Trail
Rocky River At the foot of the hill we found the Rocky River. The trees along the riverbank were beautiful. As you can see from the picture, the Rocky River comes by its name honestly. My husband was drooling thinking of catching this river after a rain with his kayak. I just enjoyed the view while the kids skipped rocks.  We continued down a trail that followed the river, enjoying an afternoon with perfect weather.
The trail continued until the Rocky River ran into the Deep River. We then followed the trail along the Deep River. The Deep River is named not for its depth but for the height of the banks along the river. We stopped several times to enjoy the view of the river. The Deep River forms the border between Lee and Chatham County along this stretch of the river. Deep River
White Pines Bog While following the river we found a woodland bog. I can just imagine this bog in the spring teeming with tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, and other river critters. Next we doubled back and joined the main trail going back up the hill.
After climbing the hill we took a side trail. This trail took us us another hill that had a great view of the surrounding woods. After we got to the top of the hill we noticed several White Pine Trees. These trees are unusual because they do not grow in our area except at this nature preserve. The next closest stand of these trees in 70 miles to the Northwest at Hanging Rock State Park. This preserve was established to protect this stand of White Pines where the Rocky and Deep Rivers meet. White Pines Trail
White Pine tree We saw one great specimen White Pine tree along the trail. This tree towered over the surrounding trees and was very impressive. After an enjoyable afternoon, we returned to our cars and headed back home.
Deep River

Please visit my Sanford NC Homes website for more information about homes in Sanford, Lee County, or Harnett County in North Carolina.

Rita Taylor

Sanford NC Real Estate

“Taylored” For You!

Comments (17)

Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Rita, what a beautiful area!  The Preserve looks like a wonderful place to hike.

I have missed seeing your beautiful post. 

Nov 28, 2007 11:58 AM
Chris Tesch
RE/MAX Bryan-College Station - College Station, TX
College Station, Texas Real Estate
Rita, you are so lucky to live there!  What a beautiful place!!!!  I'd love to visit sometime!
Nov 28, 2007 12:25 PM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Rita---These photos are gorgeous!! I absolutely would love to walk in that park...Amazing beauty. Thanks for sharing these!
Nov 28, 2007 01:12 PM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Marchel,

It is a great placed for a walk.  I'm trying to post at least once a week - I got a bit burned out.

Chris,

We have a lot of beautiful parks in the area.  There are plans to make some of this area a state park in the future.

Teri,

Thanks for stopping by - we caught a nice weekend when the leaves were changing here in central North Carolina. 

Nov 28, 2007 01:20 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co
Hi Rita, What a great place, such a natural setting. Sounds like it will stay that way, expecially since it's not well marked. Thanks for sharing.
Nov 28, 2007 03:59 PM
Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs
This looks like a great place to get lost. I love going for walks that nobody can find me.
Nov 29, 2007 12:00 AM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Lynda,

It is one of those places where you are almost glad it is hard to find.

Susan,

The triangle land conservancy has several tracts around the triangle that are not well known.  They list them on their website but many of them have no directions!  http://www.tlc-nc.org/lands/places_to_visit.shtml

 

Nov 29, 2007 11:24 AM
Susie Roscoe
Signature Realty Associates - Brandon, FL
Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL

Rita...THANK YOU for taking me on your piece of heaven tour through White Pines Reserve.  I just received our Christmas Cards in the mail yesterday which included several pictures from our NC visit this summer... this is a reminder of the beauty we didn't see and how soon I want to return. 

I'm in heaven...THANKS for the post!  I'm actually book-mark-ing it so I can love it again on a day when we're sweating here in FL!

Nov 29, 2007 07:29 PM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Beautiful, Rita!

Just Beautiful.

Well done, and great photos.

Thanks for the conservancy link, too!

Nov 30, 2007 07:34 AM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Susie,

This is a pretty spot that reminds me of the mountains even though they are a few hours to our west.

Mike,

Thanks for the compliment.  I want to get out and find more of the Triangle Land Conservancy's lands and explore them. 

Nov 30, 2007 11:52 AM
Katerina Gasset
Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Wellington, FL
Get It Done For Me Virtual Services
Rita- WOW! You took fantastic pictures! Absolutely stunning. These photos can be entered in a photo contest. Katerina
Dec 08, 2007 12:26 PM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Katerina,

Thanks - but I have to give credit to my Kodak V570 camera.  All I do is point and click.  It also helps that this is such a beautiful spot to take pictures of.  I can't wait to go back in the spring to see the mountain laurel and rhododendrons in bloom.

Dec 08, 2007 12:49 PM
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

Rita, That is such an awesome place... Absoultely beautiful and terrific photos...Do they allow dogs out here?

Ginger 

Dec 09, 2007 03:54 PM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Ginger,

They allow dogs as long as they are on a leash.  It is a pretty spot but kind of hidden.  I read on the Triangle Land Conservancy website that it stays up to 10 degrees cooler along the river banks - we'll have to go back when it gets hot next summer. 

Dec 12, 2007 11:47 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Rita, these pictures are amazing.  Makes you feel as if you are right there enjoying the nature and surroundings.

 

Dec 30, 2007 06:03 AM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Gary,

This preserve is a great place to get out and enjoy nature.

Jan 01, 2008 01:51 PM