Well, I finished the first section of the MST through the Triangle on Jan 5, 2010. I almost delayed my walk, since although it was sunny, it was only about 37 degrees. But by dressing in layers, with of course a hat and gloves, I was fine. The distance one-way on this section is 3.5 miles.
Section 1 starts at the base of Falls Lake Dam, at a parking lot known as the Tailrace Fishing Area, on Falls of Neuse Road. Directly across from the bathrooms, follow the white-blazed trail into the woods. If you're tempted to see the dam itself, you could also hike directly uphill to the top of the dam for a great view, then take a left along the dam access road until you intersect with the MST, taking a right onto the trail.
In .25 miles, a blue-blazed trail bypasses the Visitors Center. Stay on the white-blazed trail. At just less than a mile, you arrive at the Visitor Information Center at Falls Lake Dam. This is also the headquarters building of the Army Corps of Engineers. It's quite an impressive building and parking lot, commanding a terrific view on a bluff overlooking the dam and a broad section of Falls Lake. With this magnificent view, it's hard to believe you're only a couple miles north of busy I-540! Or that you're surrounded by huge housing developments.
From the Visitor Center, follow the sidewalk counterclockwise around the loop parking area, then onto a short boardwalk that leads into the woods. There's an information board and map just past the end of the boardwalk. Follow the trail into the woods.
The trail is moderately hilly (for the piedmont) and generally follows the shore of Falls Lake at first, then turns away from it (and thankfully the winter wind-chill off the lake subsides as well). There's an intersection from the left of a blue-blazed trail that also leads back to the dam, but bypasses the Visitors Center. Continue on the main trail (right) toward Raven Ridge Road.
At 1.6 miles from the start, you cross a cleared area that resembles a road, although it isn't paved. I'm not sure what this is, although the pipes you can see poking out of the ground makes me think it is perhaps for a water or utility line.
With all this wilderness in sight, it's surprising to see, perhaps another 0.25 mile later, the sight of a beautifully manicured backyard of a huge house on your left. It's the first of several houses along this section.
At the 2.8 mile mark, you walk down to a broad ravine with a sizable creek. Unfortunately, the bridge over the creek has been washed away. But you can easily rock hop across the creek just upstream from where the bridge used to be. It's hard to believe this tranquil creek was once a raging torrent pushed the bridge downstream a hundred feet or so. A sign says the bridge will be fixed soon, but not sure when that will be.
After crossing the creek, the trail follows the creek right back to the lake, passing a couple architecturally interesting homes on the left. One is very contemporary, with what looks like a treehouse attached to the back, and the other looks like a grand European manor.
After another 3/4 mile, you reach Raven Ridge Road. There's another information board and map here. There's also a small parking area along the road. The trail follows Raven Ridge Road to the right past water on both sides of the road, then (after about 0.2 mile) re-enters the woods to start Section 2.
As for me, I turned around at this point, and retraced my steps back to Falls Lake Dam.
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