Geology

March 21, 2026 & multiple hike dates (beginning in April)

details

Piedmont Geology and Trail Safety

North Carolina is a biological hotspot, in part, because of our diverse geology. With over 6,ooo feet in elevation change from the coast to the mountains, the Piedmont is a transition zone of geology and resulting ecotypes.

Starting with planetary geology, this class will zoom in to explore the forces that shaped our region, state, and local geology. Then you’ll have an opportunity to explore our geology in person by participating in a small-group hike.

The March 21 class will introduce our state’s geology, then we will learn some basic first aid techniques, which you hopefully will not need.

Geology Hikes

You may participate in one hike, we let you know when online registration will open, you can make your selection then. Each hike will be able to accommodate up to 12 participants, you may not get your first choice. Please be flexible and understand space on the trails is limited. Please note:

  • We hike rain or shine, we one day in reserve in case of severe weather
  • You are expected to wear sturdy hiking footwear and clothes appropriate for backwoods hiking. Sections of the hikes are on uneven ground and conditions may be muddy. You need to carry your own water and snacks as needed. There are NO restrooms at the trailheads or along the trails.
  • On this page you will find maps, and background reading materials. You are responsible for reviewing the materials, coming prepared.
  • Hike Schedule:
    • Saturday, April 4 – Bacon Quarry
    • Sunday, April 19 – Willie Duke’s Bluff
    • Saturday, April 25 – Rock Cliff Farm
    • Sunday, April 26 – Few’s Ford
    • Saturday, May 23 – Penny’s Bend
    • Sunday, May 24 – Make-up date held in reserve

Location Descriptions

  • Bacon Quarry – We will park at the private property of one of our Master Naturalist alums, which provides a short cut to the quarry.  Parking is at 5510 Buck Quarter Rd., Hillsborough, NC.  Follow the gravel driveway to the end and someone will tell you where to park. The hike is 4/10s of a mile each way, with gradual ups and downs.  The location pin for the Bacon Quarry hike parking is:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZBY9PfKQW1guw9zd8.
  • Willie Duke’s Bluff – 2432 Old Oxford Road, Durham – Park on the gravel turn off on the east side of Old Oxford Road, south of the Eno River bridge, and do not block the gate.  Consider carpooling as parking space is limited.  Overflow parking is at the Penny’s Bend parking lot 1000’ further north, across the Eno River bridge in the gravel lot on Snow Hill Road (the parking location for the Penny’s Bend Hike).  The location pin for the primary parking area is:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/RVUuzkNNw7hJY1me9.
  • Rock Cliff Farm – 1630 Bent Road, Wake Forest – Park near the end of Bent Road, which is within the B.W. Wells Campground of Falls Lake State Recreation Area.  The Park is closed to the public, but someone will greet you at the Park gate here; from there you will drive 1.3 miles to the parking area.  The location pin for the parking area is:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/mBpnNDejskQYfqf86.
  • Few’s Ford Access – Eno River State Park – Take Cole Mill Road west from Pleasant Green Road.  After entering Eno River State Park, turn at the second right, sign opposite the turn says to “PIPER-COX HOUSE” and “BUCKQUARTER CREEK TRAIL”. Drive a short distance to the parking lot at the end.  Consider carpooling as space may be limited as this is a popular place for hiking on weekends.  Overflow parking is further along the main park road and at the new Park Office on the right beyond the parking lot.  The location pin for the parking lot is:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/yb5jaCXxjgLYrWVg7.
  • Penny’s Bend Natural Area – Durham Park in the gravel parking lot on Snow Hill Road approximately 250 feet west of the intersection with Old Oxford Rd.  Consider carpooling as space may be limited as this is a popular place for hiking and fishing on weekends.  Overflow parking is along the shoulder of Snow Hill Road, and across Old Oxford Rd here, which may be muddy (unpaved fishing access).  Location pint for the Penny’s Bend parking lot is:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/D2wZqMrPAbyoaidv8.
Geologic map of North Carolina, featuring marked locations for geology field trips in 2026: Bacon Quarry, Few’s Ford, Penny’s Bend, Willie Duke’s Bluff, and Rock Cliff Farm. Dates for trips include April 4, 19, 25, 26, and May 23, 24.

Make your own map on MapView

CLASS INFORMATION

Instructor: Tonya Brami

Location:Orange County Extension Center, 1020 US Hwy 70W, Hillsborough, NC

Schedule: 9:00-noon

Handouts: PDF of slides

HIKE information

Schedule (you will pick one):

  • Saturday, April 4 – Bacon Quarry
  • Sunday, April 19 – Willie Duke’s Bluff
  • Saturday, April 25 – Rock Cliff Farm
  • Sunday, April 26 – Few’s Ford
  • Saturday, May 23 – Penny’s Bend
  • Sunday, May 24 – Make-up date held in reserve

Hike Leaders:

Tonya Brami is a retired geologist.  She has lived in North Carolina for 8 years, and has volunteered for and served on numerous boards of local non-profit organizations.  Tonya is a certified Master Naturalist in Orange County (2025).  She is an active painter, and has had paintings in local galleries and shows. She is passionate about preserving our natural environment.

Julie d’Ablaing is a retired geologist / biostratigrapher. She is a recent arrival in North Carolina, originally from southern England, coming via Texas.  She is a certified Texas Master Naturalist (Fall 2015), with over 4000 volunteer hours under her belt.  She now volunteers with many local nature-based organizations, particularly those linked with native plants and preserving the local natural habitat for all. 

Paula LaPoint retired early from the US Geological Survey in Denver to become a full-time mom. She moved to Chapel Hill 45 years ago when her husband started a gold exploration program in the Eastern US. While volunteering in schools and various other organizations, Paula studied geology on her own with the help of the Carolina Geological Society and the NC Geological Survey. After a stint in asbestos analysis, she worked 11 years at the Museum of Life and Science. Currently, she volunteers at the NC Botanical Garden and for the NC Native Plant Society while pursuing her interest in moths and fungi.

Pete Schubert is a retired engineer who was trained as a geologist and is passionate about living sustainably. He leads wildflower and geology hikes and is the director of the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference. Pete also volunteers with many nature-based and watershed protection organizations.  His newest passion is making bean-to-bar chocolate.

Master Naturalists hike Bacon Quarry
Before Hiking
  • Flood Resiliency Workbook Tool. Guide for using the toolbox. Description: The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is developing the North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint, which will form the backbone of a state flood planning process to increase community resilience to flooding throughout North Carolina’s River basins.
  • “A Geologic Adventure Along the Eno River, Information Circular 35, 2007, North Carolina Geologic Survey” (available in paperback and online):
  • “Falls Lake Geology”, a.k.a. “The Falls Lake Trail – A Geologic Guide” (online only), 2011.  This excellent resource includes descriptions and draft geopdf geologic maps for each of the 18 sections of the Falls Lake Trail, a 60-mile section of the Mountains To sea Trail on Federal Land along the southern shore of Falls Lake.
  • A little technical, but a good orientation to what you will learn hiking the Eno, check out A Geologic Adventure Along the Eno River, from the NC Geologic Survey
Geology Reading
  • “A Geologic Adventure Along the Eno River, Information Circular 35, 2007, North Carolina Geologic Survey” (available in paperback and online):
  • “Exploring the Geology of the Carolinas – A Field Guide to Favorite Places from Chimney Rock to Charleston”, 2007, Stewart, Kevin G., and Roberson, Mary-Russell; UNC Press, Chapel Hill, NC
  • “Eno River Geology: An Interactive Guide” (online only), http://www.ncgeology.com/pages/Index_eno.html.  This website, produced in a collaborative effort between the NC Geological Survey, Eno River State Park, and the Eno River Association, includes sections on Geologic Principles, The Geologic Story, Destinations, Virtual Rock Kit, and Teacher Resources.
  • “Geology of Occoneechee Mountain” (online only), http://www.ncgeology.com/Eno_interactive_webs/Occoneechee_mtn_Main.html
  • “Falls Lake Geology”, a.k.a. “The Falls Lake Trail – A Geologic Guide” (online only), 2011.  This excellent resource includes descriptions and draft geopdf geologic maps for each of the 18 sections of the Falls Lake Trail, a 60-mile section of the Mountains To sea Trail on Federal Land along the southern shore of Falls Lake.
  • “The Geology of the Falls Lake Trail – Eastern Portion, Draft Map 2012” (online only), 2012, North Carolina Geological Survey.  This geologic map covers Falls Lake Trail segments 1 through 14; i.e.,the eastern half
  • A simple version of geology written for Friends of Bolin Creek in Chapel Hill.
Geology Maps