Merchant’s Millpond State Park: Lassiter Trail

In my recent letters, I confess to the likes of my grandmother or my cousin serving in Iraq, that I find the swamplands in eastern North Carolina to be surprisingly scenic. When I moved in November, I left the Appalachian Mountains. The most diverse mountain range in North America. And yet, I still find myself dumbfounded by all of the variety here. My outings may be flat and my legs may be far from weary afterwards, but with every outing I see more, I learn more and I fall deeper in love with the area.

Overview of Lassiter Trail
If you are looking to have your own love affair with a swamp, I suggest Merchant’s Millpond State Park. The Lassiter Trail is a great place to start. It’s a 6.7 mile loop. It takes you by the the namesake of the park, the millpond. Manmade in the 1700’s, the pond is now a thriving wildlife habitat. Traveling clockwise, the trail will take you through a hardwood forest past American Beech and American Holly trees. Next you’ll pass though a Longleaf Pine Forest and learn about fire and restoration. Before returning you back to the Millpond, the trail next runs by Lassiter Swamp and its mutated bald cypress trees, draped in lacy Spanish Moss.

Merchant Millpond	Hardwood Forest
Lassiter Swamp	Long-Leaf Pine Forest

Fauna
During our hike, we ran across a pair of Black Vultures. They were a little pissy at first, but eventually dropped their intimidating postures and settled for staring…intimidatingly. And even though we were hiking in early March, we got to see a frog (or toad)!

Black Vulture (Photo by Ryan Somma)

Frog/Toad (Photo by Ryan Somma)

Flora – Plantae
Baldcypress, Pines and American Beeches were popular along the trail. At one point, I saw those three species sharing the same spot, trumping Seinfeld’s Black and White Cookie by one.

Three Different Species, One Spot

A section of the trail was dedicated to a Long-Leaf Pine reforestation project. Pines of various ages and sizes lined the trail and their subtle scent carried by the spring breeze was especially pleasant.

Wonderfully Textured, Long-leaf Pine Bark

Long-leaf Pine Flower

American Holly and Mistletoe were both prevalent and scenic.

Holly with Berries

Mistletoe at Work

Finally, the Spanish Moss in Lassiter Swamp was just lovely. We passed through as the sun set. If you looked at the swamp just right, the backlighting transformed it into a Winter Wonderland. Swamp Style, that is. When lit, the dangling Spanish Moss resembled the icicles after a harsh winter storm.

Backlit Spanish Moss at Lassiter Swamp

Flora – Fungi
There were so many different types of fungus over the 6.7 miles, I had to give it a dedicated section. One black and grainy fungus was particular deceiving. At first glance, it appeared to be debris from a fire.

Sampling of Lassiter Trail Fungus

Oddities
Thin barked trees are more susceptible at inosculation— when branches, sometimes from two different trees, merge together. That tendency is why Axel Erlandson used sycamores in his Tree Circus. The American Beech common to the Lassiter Trail also has a thin bark. It’s not a full circus, but the harsh swamp environment did produce its very own Freak Show.

The American Beech Freak Show

From baldcypress trees to hardwoods to long-leaf pines to delicate fungi, the Lassiter Trail has a lot to offer. Amazingly enough, this is just one trail, one small piece of the Merchant’s Millpond State Park. There is much more to explore in the park, particularly if you travel by canoe.

More pictures of the Lassiter Trail can be found on my Flickr site.

Merchant’s Millpond State Park – Lassiter Trail Trail Map Length: 6.7 mile loop Elevation Gain: Negligible Directions from Elizabeth City, NC Take US-17 North Turn left on US-158 (there will be a brown sign for Merchant’s Millpond State Park) Travel roughly 25 miles, passing an entrance to the park Turn left on Honey Pot Road Turn left into the next park entrance