makes it ideal to bring children along for the ride. Depending on the depth and section of the river, the strongest rapids you may encounter are class 2 rapids. These are far from the wild rapids you may see on a whitewater rafting trip. In the lower sections of the river where the water flows even slower, you can even paddleboard. The Tar-Pamlico River is one of only four river basins contained entirely within North Carolina. It’s a beautiful scenic river and much of it runs through forests. In fact, it can feel like you’re floating through the forest as trees grow straight out of the water. The Tar River becomes the tidal Pamlico River once it underpasses the U.S. Highway 17 Bridge in Washington, North Carolina. It is here that the river changes from freshwater to brackish water. The seclusion and untouched nature of much of the Upper Tar, which is the closest section to Wake County, continues to make it a serene and desired destination in areas such as Medoc Mountain State Park and Wilton Slopes.
BY ROBYN GOSS-BENNAI
Wilton Slopes Park – just north of Wake County in Oxford, off of Highway 96 – is a nearby access point to the Tar River. Unlike a typical boat launching area where you can drive your vehicle right up to the water, here you will need to carry your watercraft to the river on a pathway going down a slight hill. If you are using a lighter weight kayak, this shouldn’t be too difficult. For heavier watercraft, you will need to plan on putting in a little more effort.
HIDDEN
GEM
THE TAR-PAMLICO WATER TRAIL
A “
river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself,” wrote Laura Gilpin. Everyone needs a little magic in their lives. Nature is brimming with magical moments – a quiet winding and crooked trail can lead to discovery and renewal – a quest to escape from the mundane of our monotonous everyday lives. Such is this issue’s hidden gem – the Tar-Pamlico Water Trail. This water trail allows you to experience the serenity of the water while providing glimpses of wildlife. You don’t have to be an experienced kayaker or have spent many hours in a canoe to navigate or enjoy this magical treasure. The Tar-Pamlico Water Trail flows gently downstream towards the Pamlico Sound, running at a a pace that 40
CIRCA Magazine
| April
May
June 2020
|
www.circamagazine.com
