McMullen Creek/Four Mile Creek Greenway

When people ask me what I do for fun the first thing that comes to mind is skiing the back bowls at Vail, mountain biking at Tsali, hiking the Shining Rock Wilderness, or canoeing on the Buffalo River.  The truth is that most people spend a majority of their time recreating at places closest to where they live.  McMullen Creek/Four Mile Creek Greenway is that place for me.  I can reach it by bike or a short walk from my apartment.  That means I spend most of my time recreating here.

This place is a great suburban greenway south of Charlotte, NC.   It is great for walking the dog, biking, running or even taking the kids for a quick stroll.  It may be an urban greenway, but there are many sections where you might forget you are in a city.

This greenway has entrances with parking on Pinville/Matthews Rd., Jonston Rd. and Rea Rd..  There are other entrances off of other neighborhoods in the area, but these are the three entrances with parking.  The trail is around 7 miles total.  It has parts that are packed dirt, wooden bridges and asphalt.  There are mile markers every quarter mile.

From the Pineville/Matthews Rd. end of the greenway the first mile is all hard packed dirt and loose gravel.  This side of the greenway is great if you are getting in a short run of around two or three miles.  You can do all or most of your run without stepping on pavement.

Around the 1 mile marker begins the first wooden bridge.  Around this area is a great place to see wildlife.  Every time I go to this trail I see ducks underneath this bridge.  Also this is a great place to spot deer.  I have seen groups as big as 8-10 deer (seriously).  Usually they are in groups of 2 to 4, but keep your eyes peeled and you just might see some.

After this bridge begins the first stretch of asphalt.  Just before the 1.5 mile marker is where the trail goes under Interstate 485.  Not far past this area is a marker indicating the turnaround point for a 5K.  The next few miles are asphalt with woods to your right following McMullen Creek and the backyards of a neighborhood to your left.  The forest area is occasionally flooded.  I believe this is why this area has not been developed because it is a flood plain.

Around the 2.25 mile marker there is an area where there is a curve in the trail with a peach tree in someones backyard.  They do not mind if you pick one to enjoy just as long as you leave some for others to enjoy as well (Remeber to leave no trace).

Around the 4 mile marker is where there is an entrance connected to Johnston Road.  This is where the two greenways have been joined.  They used to be two separate greenways.  The mile markers start over again here.  Not far after this area is my favorite part of this entire greenway.  There is an area that is about 4 acres of marsh land.  In the Summer it is filled with plants that look like giant monkey grass.   This is another place for great wildlife viewing.  I tend to see many interesting birds here.

About a mile past this area is where the trail ends across the street from Piper Glen Shopping Center.  This end of the trail is better for walking while the other end is better for running and biking.  The next time you need a quick get away from the stresses of everyday life in the Queen City.  Look to McMullen Creek/Four Mile Creek Greenway as a way to escape.


For more information about directions and ways you can help take care of this greenway go to the following websites:


http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/Greenways/Pages/default.aspx
http://lnt.org/
http://www.tarheeltrailblazers.com
http://www.imba.com/