Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (Blog Hike #269)

Trail: North Pond Wildlife Trail

Hike Location: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Geographic Location: north of Rodanthe, NC (35.71605, -75.49338)

Length: 1.4 miles

Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)

Dates Hiked: May 2009, March 2016

Overview: A flat hike atop a dam featuring great bird watching opportunities.

Refuge Information: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/pea_island/
Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=96817
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: The signed parking area for the refuge Visitor Center is located on SR 12 8.7 miles north of Rodanthe or 15 miles south of the Whalebone Junction in Nags Head.  The trail starts at the south end of the parking area directly across from the Visitor Center.

The hike: Established in 1937, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge protects 5834 acres of beaches, dunes, and wetlands on the Outer Banks.  The refuge forms a cross section across Hatteras Island, and while SR 12 cuts right through the land, most of the refuge retains its natural feel.  Indeed, the beaches protected by the refuge are some of the most pristine, isolated beaches on the Outer Banks.

            As would be expected at a wildlife refuge, bird watching is one of the main activities.  Pea Island is particularly well situated in this regard because it is located in the middle of the Atlantic flyway, a major bird migration route.  Even better, the treeless marshes make for exceptional viewing.  Come during different times of the year and see how many different kinds of birds you can see.

            Two short, flat trails allow hikers to access the refuge.  The 0.5 mile Salt Flats Wildlife Trail (not described in this log) departs SR 12 at a small pullout about 4 miles north of the Visitor Center; it provides a handicapped-accessible route into the marsh land.  The North Pond Wildlife Trail described here is a bit longer, offers better bird watching opportunities, and departs from the Visitor Center, thus eliminating the drive.

Trailhead: North Pond Wildlife Trail

            Before starting the trail, stop in the Visitor Center to pick up a brochure that will help you identify some of the more common birds.  From the large information board, the trail begins as a boardwalk as it heads south parallel to the park road, passing the first pond.  There were no birds in this pond on my visit, but I did see numerous turtles sitting on logs and enjoying the bright late morning sun.  The bushes in this area could contain some birds, but you won’t be able to see them at this point on the trail.

Hiking along the dike

            The trail soon reaches the dike.  Turn right and begin walking atop the dike you will use as a treadway for the rest of the hike.  This dike is well positioned because views of North Pond are plentiful to the right while occasional views of South Pond can be had through the bushes on the left.  A large group of sandpipers were congregated in a very shallow region of North Pond, searching the sandy floor for lunch.  Meanwhile, a mallard duck watched them from the dike only feet away from me.

Canada geese beside North Pond

            Several observation platforms invite you to stop and inspect the two ponds.  Binoculars are provided at some of the platforms, and unlike many of the more touristy areas, you don’t even have to drop in a quarter to use the binoculars here.  Even if you have never carried binoculars on a hike before, you will see their value after you try the ones here.  What appears as a small white blob with the naked eye becomes easily identifiable as a snow goose or an egret with the binoculars.

At 0.6 miles, the trail reaches a two-story wooden observation platform at the far (west) end of the dike.  Make sure to check out both floors of the platform: you will more likely see birds from the top floor, but you will more likely see reptiles and amphibians from the ground floor.  This point is far enough away from the trailhead so as to allow a better chance of solitude.  On my visit, the first couple of observation platforms were crowded, but this one at the end I had all to myself.

View of North Pond

            The North Pond Wildlife Trail officially ends at the two-story platform.  The hike can be extended by following a two-track access road which heads north along North Pond’s western shore.  Unfortunately, the access road does not form a loop unless you want to hike along busy SR 12, which is not recommended.  So the best choice is to turn around at the platform and retrace your steps back across the dike.  Keep your eyes alert on the return hike: birds move after all, so you will likely see different things coming back than you did going out.

Before you leave the refuge, there is one more “secret” place you should visit.  Back at the parking lot, use the crosswalk to cross SR 12, and then take one of the wild trails that head into the sand.  After a brief scale of the sand dune “wall,” you will come out at one of the gorgeous beaches I mentioned above.  When I visited this beach on a perfect day in early May, there were only 2 people on the beach as far as the eye could see.  Take a minute to savor the wilderness feeling before returning to your car to complete the hike.

Entrance to "secret" beach