Weetock Trail -Croatan National Forest

Weetock Trail -Croatan National Forest

The Weetock Trail, located in the Croatan National Forest, is one of the few long distance hiking trails in Eastern North Carolina. Unlike the more well known Neusiok Trail, the Weetock trail is a patchwork of old pathways connected by newer designated sections. The entire trail has been blazed using 1in X 5in aluminum strips by the Cartaret County Wildlife Club in 2003. Unfortunately, clearing and maintaining of the trail has been delayed due to archiological and environmental studies required by the USFS. Adding to the confusion, sections of the trail will be re-routed in the future, creating uncertainty in the official "route." As a result, parts of the trail are overgrown and difficult to follow at best. Worse, some blazes have been removed for unknown reasons (either pending re-routing or removed by USFS officials).

Despite the flat terrain, the Weetock Trail is one of the most rugged and unforgiving trails in North Carolina! Each time I hike the trail, I curse the multiple sections that are overgrown with briars and thorny plants that will penetrate even protective clothing! And this is during the WINTER months! Insane hikers who attempt the trail during the warmer months will find thicker brush as well as copious amounts of ticks, chiggers, blood suckers, snakes, alligators and mutant sized poison ivy!

There are two trailheads to the Weetock Trail:
Northern Trailhead: (GPS 34 49.308, - 77 8.998) Located near the junction of Loopy Road and Long Point Road. The trailhead is only ~ 50 yards west of NC 58
Southern Trailhead: (GPS 34 48.333, - 77 8.019) Located off NC 58 immediately across from Davis Chapel Church

For practical purposes this trail may be divided into the following sections:

Section 1 : Northern TH to Haywood Landing
Section 2 : Haywood Landing to FR 120 (Long Point Road)
Section 3 : FR 120 (Long Point Road) to FR 603 (Hill Field Road)
Section 4 : FR 603 (Hill Field Road) to Southern TH

General Trail Description:
Section 1 is the easiest section with a well defined trail and intact blazes. There is only one brief section (marked by (3) on the map) that may be confusing if hiked in the northbound direction. Most of this trail is wide, cleared and easy to follow. In my opinion, section 3 is the most difficult, with a difficult bushwack from the northern end of the fields, extending for 3/4 mile north. Keep in mind that the "official" trail does not follow the faint footpaths, rather it seems to go through the brush!

IMPORTANT NOTE: The trail is currently follows a "preliminary routing" and is subject to change! If you are hiking the Weetock Trail for the first time, it is HIGHLY recommended that you go with someone who has hiked the trail before. Route finding is difficult at times. Although it is easy to get disoriented, it is difficult to get completely lost. Thats because the hiking area is bounded on 3 sides by swampy water, and it is unlikely that you will want to wonder into this terrain. Regardless, take a map AND compass AND know how to use it!

Section 1: Northern TH to Haywood Landing (3.5 miles)

This section skirts the higher bluffs south of Holston Creek offering peek-a-boo views of the marshy environment. Despite being in the Coastal Plain, the trail offers some surprising elevation changes as it climbs and descends the drainages that feed Holston Creek. For most part, the trail is easy to follow and well blazed. Approximately 1/2 way to Haywood landing, there is a brief section of trail that is more overgrown. Approximately 3.2 miles from the trailhead, the trail crosses Haywood Landing access road. In another 0.2 miles, take the spur trail on the right, reaching Haywood Landing on the White Oak River in 0.1 miles. Here you will find a parking area, boat ramp and restroom facilities.

Section 2: Haywood Landing to FR 120 (Long Point Road) (2.3 miles)

This section is not particularily difficult, but poses some route finding challenges as several blazes are "missing." One option is to retrace your steps, going northbound on the Weetock, until just before you reach the Haywood Landing access road. You will see a side path going off to the right. This side path is obviously an old trail as there is a wooden footbridge crossing the first drainage ditch. Follow this unblazed but obvious path until you reach a larger creek and you should pick up the blazes again. Another option is to turn right, following the southbound Weetock Trail. This is a well defined trail that will eventually fizzle out at marker (2) on the map. At this point, you can aim southeast towards marker (3), or follow the rudimentary path along the northern boundary of the pine forest, then turn south. In the latest trip (February 2008), we could not locate blazes, so either we were off route, or they have been removed. Once you reach the creek at marker (3), the trail is well blazed again as you proceed on the southbound route. Approximately 0.2 miles south of the creek crossing you will reach a small field. Follow the obvious but sometimes unblazed trail for an additional 1.3 miles to reach Long Point Road.

Section 3: FR 120 (Long Point Road) to Hillfield Road (2.7 miles)

This section is probably the most difficult section of the Weetock Trail, mostly because of a short but difficult bushwhack section. Leave Long Point Road on a good trail and reach the cul-de-sac of FR 3062 in 0.7 miles. The trail follows high ground on the western side of an unnamed creek that feeds Hunters Creek. Peek-a-boo views offer glimpses of this wetlands and the impressive fields of cattails. Unfortunately after about a mile, the trail widdles away and a scavenger hunt for blazes soon begins. Finding the next blaze is not a difficult as getting there. For some reason, the brush seems to be choke full of thorny plants. Eventually you will pop out at a large field. The trail skirts on the north-east side of this field. As you reach the southeastern corner of this field, a small cut through leads to another set of fields. Continuing on the left side of the field, you will reach a gate where Hillfield Road begins.

Special note about the "Fields": Negotiating the "Fields" section: If one follows the "blazes," hikers will find a difficult bushwack in the woods approximately 10-30 feet from the edge of the field. It is simply easier to walk along the edge of the field, and have faith that you will rejoin the trail. There are 2 fields, one located west of Hillfield Road, and another located east of Hillfield Road. In the "western" field, the trail follows the northern boundary. In the "eastern" field, the trail follows the southern boundary.

Section 4: Hillfield Road to NC 58 (2.5 miles)

From Hillfield Road, the trail follows the southern edge of the Fields. The Weetock Trail re-enters the woods near the eastern most point of the fields. Finding this may be difficult. If in doubt, look in the woods along the southeastern boundary of the Fields. From here, you are only 1.8 miles from NC 58. This section of the trail is well blazed, but the trail is varied. Parts are essentially a bushwack, other sections are wide enough that you could probably take a small Jeep on. The trail gets somewhat eroded the closer you get to NC 58 and there are some monster sized puddles, especially during wetter periods.

Sawdust Pile

The sawdust pile is located slightly southwest of the eastern most field. From Hillfield Road, one can reach the Sawdust Pile in 0.7 miles. The pile is located on the banks of Hunters Creek offering nice views of the marshy environment.