40 Hike Challenge: #32 Stones Creek Game Land

Distance: 3.5 miles one-way (My hike: 4.7 miles)

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Change: Gain, 85 feet; loss, 85 feet

Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail

The Stones Creek Game Land is actually a pine preserve, where the NC Wildlife Resource commission has been active to restore the forest and specifically the Long Leaf Pine. Several areas have been heavily cleared, but it is obvious where new plantings have occurred and the flora and wildlife are beginning to thrive.

The 40 Hike Challenge guide has the hike beginning at Trailhead 1- the Stone Creek Game Land entrance which is off of NC 210 and ending at a trailhead off of US 17. I was solo hiking and I wanted an easier pick up for the end of the hike, so I opted to hike in the other direction. By putting the coordinates in the GPS, it was easy to locate the turnoff from US 17. At this point the trail is actually on a dirt (sandy) road. It is well marked with white blazes and signs at intersections.

Starting from US 17, there is an option early on in the hike to loop around what is called Dry Lake. It is about a 1.3 mile loop and it connects back with the MST. I highly recommend adding this to your adventure. This area is very secluded with some of the trail through high grasslands and older growth. This is an excellent opportunity to see wildlife, and I did see many tracks in the sand.

I do recommend you wear either long pants or gaiters. I was fortunate this time of year (October) that the temperatures were mild with a slight breeze.

Shortly after the lake loop, the trail switched back to a sandy road which eventually became more of an old jeep track. It is evident here of the new growth pines that are starting to take off.

The trail does venture into the woods for a section. In this area it is well marked and easy to travel as you cross over some wetlands. Be aware that all of these Game Lands are open to hunting during season. Therefore, if you are in this area, blaze orange apparel is a must. It was hunting season while I was here, so I did wear a bright orange hat & vest. During my hike I did not encounter or hear any hunters.

There is about a 0.5 mile stretch of the MST that borders an area that has obviously been cleared for replanting. It is marked on the edge of another jeep track and is easy to follow. It will be interesting to see how this changes over the next few years.

The last stretch (or the beginning if you are hiking according to the guide) of about 1.5 miles is on a straight gravel road. Again, due to the previous clearing there is a clear view of the game lands in all directions. I enjoyed discovering this area of the coastal region, and again, I highly recommend that you add the lake loop for this hike.

A complete list of the 40 Hikes and their Blog Posts can be found here

40 Hike Challenge Blue Ridge Parkway Conserving Carolina Falls Lake Hickory Nut Gorge Hiking Lake Lure Linville Gorge Mountains to Sea Mount Mitchell North Carolina Trails