Hiking_AL-16

Start: Trailhead across from parking area

Distance: 3.2-mile figure eight

Hiking time: About 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy over firm, level ground

Trail surface: Sand, dirt, grass

Best seasons: Early Mar–mid-May, mid-Sept–mid-Nov

Other trail users: Cyclists, disc golfers

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Land status: City nature preserve

Nearest town: Foley

Fees and permits: None

Schedule: Year-round, dawn to dusk

Maps: USGS Gulf Shores, AL; DeLorme: Alabama Atlas & Gazetteer, page 63 H8

Trail contact: City of Foley, 407 E. Laurel Ave., PO Box 1750, Foley, AL 36536; (251) 952-4041; www.visitfoley.org

Finding the trailhead: From the intersection of US 98 and AL 59 in Foley, take AL 59 south 3.5 miles and turn left onto CR 12. Travel 1 mile and turn right onto Wolf Bay Drive. Drive 1 mile on Wolf Bay Drive. The road will make a sharp left curve just before the park entrance. Turn right into the preserve (a large Graham Creek Nature Preserve sign marks the turn). Follow the dirt road 0.2 mile. The parking area is to the left at a kiosk. The trailhead is across the road from the parking area and is marked with a round orange disk with an arrow on it attached to a 4-by-4-inch post. GPS: N30 20.734' / W87 37.471'

The Hike

The newest nature preserve on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Graham Creek Nature Preserve, is a testament to the City of Foley, local utility company Riviera Utilities, and the hard work of city environmental manager Leslie Gahagan to protect an environmentally significant piece of land, 484 acres to be exact, that could have otherwise been engulfed by the growth of one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.

Graham Creek Nature Preserve is named after a creek that flows through the property and feeds Wolf Bay, a brackish body of water that borders Florida and Alabama and creates a unique and diverse environment. Wildlife abounds in and around the bay. It’s not unusual to see bald eagles, ospreys, Florida manatees, red-cockaded woodpeckers, gopher tortoises, coyotes, and American alligators.

The preserve boasts two walking trails: the main Blue Trail, which is described here, and a smaller 2-mile subset of the Blue Trail called the Red Trail. Both trails are marked with round metal medallions mounted on 4-by-4-inch poles. The Blue Trail uses blue medallions; the red trail uses red medallions. Major mile markers such as 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5 miles are indicated along the path as well.

Parking is located about 0.2 mile south of the main entrance next to an informative kiosk that describes the preserve’s habitat and also has brochures to help guide you through your visit. Just remember to practice Leave No Trace and pack the brochures out with you.

The trailhead is located across the road from the parking lot and is marked with a round orange medallion. The orange marker indicates the path of the preserve’s 7.5-mile-long bike path. Follow the orange marker about 100 feet to begin walking the Blue Trail. Don’t let the brochure at the kiosk throw you. As of this writing, the trail is labeled on the map in the brochure as being marked in green but it’s actually blue.

The trail is a nice, easy walk over flat dirt roads. One striking feature of this hike is the large fields that you will skirt along the route. The first, coming almost immediately after starting the hike, is part of the preserve’s nine-hole disc golf course. Watch for flying Frisbees!

At 0.3 mile you will cross Graham Creek itself as it cuts through the path. The stream isn’t deep (unless you hike the trail after one of south Alabama’s infamous heavy afternoon downpours), but the rocks can be slippery. All around you are towering pines, and depending on the season you are hiking, you will see over 700 plant species including lilies, arums, sunflowers, and several different species of rare orchids such as the rosebud orchid.

At the 0.9-mile mark you can make the trek shorter by taking the Red Trail back to the trailhead, but there is plenty more to see. At 1.97 miles, as the trail crosses a boggy area, you will get your first glimpse of white-topped pitcher plants. These are rare carnivorous plants much like a Venus flytrap that grow in the bogs surrounding pine savannahs. But wait, there’s more! At 2.0 miles you will make a turn to the north and be surrounded by hundreds of these beautiful cupped plants.

Besides hiking, Graham Creek Nature Preserve provides plenty of additional recreational activities like biking and disc golf, as mentioned earlier. There is also a wonderful canoe launch on the creek just a few yards south of the parking area that gives you access to explore the bayou and the wonders of the bay itself by canoe or kayak. A large picnic pavilion is also available, along with nice restrooms near the entrance of the preserve.

The preserve hosts many tours and special events throughout the year. Visit their website at www.visitfoley.org for a listing.

0.0	Start at the trailhead across from the parking lot and head west. The trail runs along the south side of a large field that is also a disc golf course.
0.1	The trail bends to the left (south). It is now marked with color-coded medallions for all three trails: blue for this 3-mile trail, red for the 2-mile walking trail, and orange for the 7.5-mile bike trail.
0.3	Cross Graham Creek. The crossing isn’t deep under normal conditions but can be after a good afternoon thunderstorm. Be careful of slippery rocks.
0.4	A spur of the Orange Bike Trail enters from the right (west).
0.5	The Orange Bike Trail leaves the walking trails to the left (east).
0.6	The Orange Bike Trail rejoins the walking trails as they all head to the west.
0.7	Reach a major four-way intersection where all three trails loop around each other. Turn left here and head south.
0.9	The Red Trail exits to right (west) at the northeast corner of a large field; continue straight ahead (south). The Orange Bike Trail continues to follow the path you’re on.
1.0	Turn right (west). Travel along the south side of the large field. This part of the trail runs along the southernmost property line.
1.2	Pass a small obstacle course with a climbing wall and tubes on the right (north).
1.5	Come to a closed gate on the left. The path goes straight to a dead end. Turn right here and head north.
1.6	Turn right (east). You are now traveling on the north side of the field.
1.7	Come to a boggy area where a small creek crosses the trail. Keep your eyes peeled for the first signs of white-topped pitcher plants.
2.0	Turn left (north) and rejoin the Red Trail. The Orange Bike Trail continues straight. Hundreds of pitcher plants and different varieties of wildflowers will be seen in this pine savannah in the spring.
2.3	Return to the intersection with the Red Trail at mile 0.9 and turn left (north). The Orange Bike Trail rejoins here.
2.6	Pass through an open gate and cross a short bridge over Graham Creek.
2.7	The trail bends to the right (east).
2.8	You are now walking on the north side of the first field where you started the hike. The disc golf course will be on your right (south).
3.2	Arrive back at the trailhead.

Hiking Information

Local Information

South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, 112 W. Laurel Ave., PO Box 1117, Foley, AL 36536; (877) 461-3712; www.southbaldwinchamber.com

Local Events/Attractions

Earth Day Extravaganza at Graham Creek Nature Preserve; (251) 952-4041; www.visitfoley.org. Held annually on the second Saturday in April, this environmentally centered event is hosted by the City of Foley and is a day of hands-on learning and fun for the entire family.

Restaurants

Foley Coffee Shop, 213 N. McKenzie St., Foley; (251) 943-7433