Meditation Hike @ Historic Yates Mill County Park

This park is south of the I-440 beltline that goes around Raleigh. Take the Lake Wheeler exit off of the beltline (exit #297), go south on Lake Wheeler Road for ~ 2.8 miles. The entrance is on the right side - be looking for it cause just after you see the sign you'll be turning into the park.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/0/b/6/event_184160662.jpegThis is a wonderful park that was brought to my attention just recently (thank you Liz!); and, I hiked it today for the first time - delightful weather, trails and park features. The remnants of the old mill and the nearby rocks provide a delightful interlude at the beginning of the walk; and, we'll finish off the walk there as well (journaling on the rocks, or overlook near the mill).

We'll be walking on three interconnected trails in this park - starting off on the Millpond Trail that skirts around the lake, connecting up with the Creekside Trail that is an out-and-back trail (with a loop at the end) that shift into marsh grasses and farm land vistas, switching onto the High Ridge Trail that overlooks the marsh on one side and the lake and the other, then finishing up back on the Millpond Trail to reach the parking lot. Overall the walk will be about 4 - 4.5 miles, on natural surface trails that are fairly even and with minimal tree roots. Plan on ~ 2 hours for the hike and journaling.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/2/a/a/event_184161162.jpegWe'll be walking in silence for the entire walk, journaling (or sitting in silence) when we return to the mill site, then talking/walking as a group to return to the parking area. Near the parking lot there's a boardwalk and a park center with great places to sit and look out over the lake ... for those who want to talk and/or immerse themselves even more in nature.