Lee and Karen Duquette
at Morrow Mountain State Park
49104 Morrow Mountain Road
Albemarle, NC 28001
phone '704.982.4402
May 26, 2020

Albemarle is a small city and the county seat of Stanly County, North Carolina. Morrow Mountain is one of the highest peaks in the Uwharrie Mountains of central North Carolina. When first formed, these mountains rose to nearly 20,000 feet above sea level, but erosion has gradually worn them down to little more than high hills that average less than 1,000 feet in elevation. These pinnacles are the remains of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the eastern United States. The park contains several peaks, of which Morrow Mountain is a high point at 936 feet.

The mountain rises some 400 feet above the surrounding lower terrain, and on a clear day offers superb views of the surrounding countryside. In addition to the mountains, the park also contains the Yadkin-Pee Dee River, one of central North Carolina's largest river systems. The river can be seen from the overlook atop Morrow Mountain. However, the two RV Gypsies did not get to the top of Morrow Mountain. They only hiked the Three Rivers Trail. There are over 20 miles of trails here and much more for for the two RV Gypsies to investigate on another date because the park covers 4,742 acres.

Below: A giant chair and a Honey Hive along the way.

Below: A map showing the three rivers - Yadkin River, Pee Dee River, Uwharrie River, plus Mountain Creek, and Lake Tillery.

The two RV Gypsies parked their toad in the large parking area near the picnic area. Then they relaxed and enjoyed their nice picnic lunch while watching boats speeding by and a person fishing on Lake Tillery.

Below: The view from each side of the bridge shown above.

The two RV Gypsies hiked the Three Rivers Trail: Officially considered the nature trail of the park, this 0.6-mile trail has seen better days. Many of the piers that once dotted the Tillery shoreline have fallen in. The trail, starting in the Tillery/Boathouse parking lot, goes through marshes and woods connecting all of the park's ecosystems along one short trail. After passing through marshland and coastline, the trail ascends a small hill with deep woods and wildflowers. The trail then slowly goes up the mountain. But the two RV Gypsies turned around before that point because of the trail's unmaintained condition. The trail was quite wet and muddy on this date.

Below: The view from each side of another bridge on the trail.

Below: Karen Duquette liked the vine that twisted all around the trunk of the tree shown below. She wonders how many people walk by this and do not even notice it.

Below: More views of the Three Rivers Trail

Below: Lee Duquette liked the design of the twigs in the water so he took a couple of photos.

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