MST Day Hike K

Hikers,

This is our continued commitment to completing all of the MST trails. This week we will start where we left off on NC50 (Creedmoor Road) and end on NC 50. Parking will be required at both ends as this is a one-way hike! See you at the trail head at NC 50!

Here’s the specific Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) section you’re asking about — between NC 50 and NC 98 going west in North Carolina:

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### 🥾 Segment: Part of MST near Falls Lake (Segment 10 – Eno River & Falls Lake)

The MST in this area follows the Falls Lake State Recreation Area, and the portion from NC 50 to NC 98 is one of the day-hike sections within MST Segment 10. (Mountains-to-Sea Trail)

#### 📍 NC 50 to NC 98 (MST Day Hike K — “The Long Haul”)

• Distance: ~7.2 miles one way
• Location: Southern shoreline of Falls Lake from NC 50 westward to NC 98
• Trail Type: Mostly natural trail through rolling Piedmont woods; moderate difficulty
• Trail Use: Hiking (day hikes)
• Notes: There are trailheads on each side (NC 50 and NC 98) and mixed terrain with scenic views of lake backwoods. (Mountains-to-Sea Trail)

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### 🧭 Understanding the Path

In the MST’s segment structure:

• This NC 50 → NC 98 stretch is not a full official long segment by itself in the 18-segment system but is a named day hike section (Day Hike K) within Segment 10 (Eno River & Falls Lake). (Mountains-to-Sea Trail)
• The full Segment 10 (Eno River & Falls Lake) covers a larger area including Eno River greenways and around Falls Lake. The NC 50–NC 98 portion is just one part of that broader segment. (Mountains-to-Sea Trail)

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### 🗺️ Practical Hike Summary

| Start | End | Miles | Difficulty | Description |
| ----- | --- | ----- | ---------- | ----------- |
| NC 50 Trailhead | NC 98 Trailhead | 7.2 mi | Moderate | Classic piedmont MST hike through woods along Falls Lake. (Mountains-to-Sea Trail) |

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### 📍 Helpful Tips

• If you only want part of this section, there are intermediate access points (e.g., Boyce Mill Road at ~5.7 mi) along the trail that can shorten your hike. (Mountains-to-Sea Trail)
• Always check updated MST guides or the FarOut app (official MST navigation tool) for current routing, parking, and trail conditions before heading out. (Mountains-to-Sea Trail)

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