Let’s Take A Walk – Latta Nature Preserve – Huntersville

New Year New Me – New Year’s Event

A short walk or a long hike, Latta Nature Preserve is a beautiful place to spend your time.

I adopted an 11-month old puppy from the Cornelius Animal Shelter just 3 weeks ago. She is a high-energy pit bull mix and we are learning to walk together! (Click here to view my Puppy Love article.) We have walked on McDowell Creek Greenway and Antiquity Greenway in Cornelius — it was time to try something totally different.

Buzzard Rock and Wash Rock Trails

I have walked these trails several times in the past, usually during the summertime or fall. They are never crowded and although horses are allowed on the main portions of these trails, I have never encountered a horse and rider.

Parking

There is a nice parking lot with nearby picnic tables at the beginning of this trail. Note: the Buzzard Rock parking area quite aways into the park — it’s beyond the Raptor Center on Sample Road.

General rules

• No weapons or firearms allowed
• Do not collect, remove, or disturb any natural or cultural object within the nature preserve
• All pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet
• No swimming or wading allowed
• Anglers must obey all fishing regulations and possess a valid County permit
• No alcoholic beverages allowed except with valid shelter reservation
• All horseback riders should have proof of 12-month negative Coggins
• Children under 16 are required to wear a helmet while riding bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades

Easy trails — Well marked

In general the main trails to both Buzzard Rock and Wash Rock are like small gravel roads. When you get to the areas by Mountain Island Lake, the trails are much smaller and there are these fantastic boulders. Horses are not allowed on the smaller trails (these areas are clearly marked). While the main trails are flat and an easy walk, the smaller trails are a little more challenging due to the uneven ground and the exposed tree roots.

Great Views

Every time I walk past these huge boulders, I am astonished and curious as to how they got there. The lake changes color every time I’m there. This visit it seemed quite green, other times it’s a beautiful blue.

Nice place for a break

Remember to bring water

One last note

Remember that poison ivy grows wild in most of our parks and greenways. If you pet a dog that has rolled in poison ivy, you can get a poison ivy reaction. It’s not so much of a concern during winter months, but come spring and summer, if you see “leaves of three, let them be.”

Article and photos by Ellen Stafford

Ellen H Stafford is the managing editor for LKNConnectCommunity.com. She loves communicating with people whether it’s great conversation over a good meal, writing and encouraging others to write, photography and video, or drawing and painting. Gardening and cooking are among her passions. She is currently writing a book about time travel.

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