This weekend was another trip to the Carolina coast. I had to get a long run in while I was there and I was determined to go somewhere fun and scenic. The Pinckney Wildlife Refuge did not disappoint. This time of year the wildlife is not as abundant and neither are the bugs! I will take that as a pro since I was on foot and did not have any bug spray. There is a small parking lot and it is free. There are 11 miles of trails all through salt marshes, several ponds and creeks. There are no roads. Only the one going into the parking lot. You have to bike or hike. I would like to come back with my bike and my DSLR. The pictures featured in this post are all iPhone 6 plus.

Once you get through the parking lot it opens up for about 3/4 mile with views on either side of the wide trail.

You will have to leave Fido at home, which is probably smart anyway since this place is crawling with gators. There is not a bathroom or water anywhere either so empty that bladder and fill the water bottle, or at least have some in the car.

This is a great place for a trail run. Flat, plenty of shade when needed. I did run in the morning which I would recommend.

the first scenic spot you come to is Ibis Pond and it is teaming with birds.

Then I cut across the island to Shell Point.

On the map it looked like 3 miles from the car to the tip of Shell point but it only ended up being 2.5 so I had to tack on more trail.

There are no shells at Shell Point... insert sad face

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I ran past the cut through trail that skirted around Ibis Pond and up to Bull Point.

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This took me to 3.5 miles. I ran the main trail back from here and passed several other ponds.

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This brought me to a round trip of 7 miles of completely flat, not too muddy terrain.

I really wish I had my Nikon with me. At least I had something.