Twenty minutes outside of Wilmington is a quiet trailhead known for its biodiversity. Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve [BSL Community Center 1 Leeds Road, Boiling Spring Lakes, NC 28461] isn’t a designer trail, but as long as you follow the red diamonds you’ll make your way.
Sandy paths, remnants of the ancient dune system lead you into the pine forest.
Soon the flora takes over and you leave the rural community behind.
Freckles of wildflowers spring up after winter rains.
Delicate irises were undoubtedly my favorite – each a treasure.
Violets are much more common, but always a welcome sight of the new season.
To me, the most intriguing part of the hike, the bubble pools of blood red water.
Yellow and orange on the edge of the white sand, but dark as it got deeper, and almost black in the center. Even more obscure on a sunny day with the reflection of the blue sky and some clouds there were so many colors in the pool.
They made it difficult to cross the trail at times.
Then there would be creeks of this colorful water.
Watching its fiery bubbling flow in the empty forest was mesmerizing. The trail certainly wasn’t maintained the best, trails were filled with coagulated water after recent rains – rain boots would have been the best option on this day. One section did at least have a bridge of sorts.
Eventually the trail became too bogged down to continue, the park is 6,000 acres, but only boasts two miles of trail for hikers.
If you were too distracted by the sinister puddles to see any of that famed plant life, back at the community center there is a carnivorous plant bog with venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and buttworts.
Fun Fact: Brunswick County ranks highest in state for rare plant species, with 112.