Day Hikes Q, R, & S

Now we’re talking about the Durham side of the
Mountains-to-Sea Trail,

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# 🌲 Day Hike Q: High Flying, Fast Driving

Hickory Hill Boat Ramp → Redwood / Tom Clark Roads
Distance: 2.3 miles
This section begins at Hickory Hill Boat Ramp, but don’t expect extended lake views. After a short open stretch, the trail dives into wooded singletrack and begins a rolling, quick-paced rhythm — which likely inspired the name.
Expect:

• Fast, undulating terrain
• Short punchy climbs and descents
• Dense hardwood forest canopy
• Minimal shoreline exposure

The “Fast Driving” name fits — the terrain flows. It’s short, efficient, and feels like a connector piece rather than a destination hike.
Best for: A quick weekday hike or linking into R and S.

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# 🌿 Day Hike R: The Swamp Connection

Redwood & Tom Clark Roads → Red Mill Road (South of Ellerbe Creek)
Distance: 0.9 mile
Short but distinctive.
This stretch lives up to its name — lower elevation, wetter ground, and a true transitional feel between forest uplands and creek bottoms.
You’ll encounter:

• Damp, swamp-adjacent terrain
• Seasonal mud
• Narrow singletrack
• Quiet creek corridor feel

It’s under a mile, but it changes the tone of the hike. After the quicker feel of Q, this section slows you down.
Best for: Linking segments — rarely done alone.

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# 🌲 Day Hike S: RMR2 (Red Mill Road — Twice!)

Red Mill Road (North of Ellerbe Creek) → Red Mill Road (South of the Eno River)
Distance: 4.6 miles
This is the substantial stretch.
Leaving Red Mill Road, the trail heads into more mature forest and begins transitioning toward the Eno River system. The terrain becomes more varied and more scenic.
Expect:

• Rolling elevation with longer climbs
• Deeper forest canopy
• Creek crossings
• Gradual approach toward the Eno corridor

This section feels more “remote” despite being near Durham. It has stronger hiking character than Q or R and stands well on its own.
Best for: A solid half-day hike.

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# Combined Overview (Q → R → S)

| Section | Distance | Character |
| ------- | -------- | --------- |
| Q | 2.3 mi | Rolling, fast forest connector |
| R | 0.9 mi | Wetlands / creek corridor |
| S | 4.6 mi | Deeper forest, approach to Eno River |

Total if combined: 7.8 miles
This sequence progresses from:
Fast forest → swamp connector → stronger, more scenic terrain toward the river.

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If you’d like, I can:

• Estimate elevation gain
• Suggest parking logistics for a shuttle
• Build a Meetup-style description for your hiking group
• Or compare this trio to the Falls Lake segments you’ve been doing

Just tell me the goal.