The Little-Known Cemetery In North Carolina You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 3-Mile Trail
By Carolyn Harmon|Published April 21, 2022
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Carolyn Harmon
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Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
The three-mile forested Summit Loop Trail in Hollister, North Carolina, leads to a little-known cemetery in Medoc Mountain State Park. With very little information to go on, the Vinson Family Cemetery, in this 3,893-acre space in Halifax County, is kind of a surprise when you pass the fenced-in memorial gravestones. The research shows two recorded lists of those buried there. One lists the following people: Albert Livington Vinson,1856-1910; Alice Vinson, 1861-1866; Charles Robert Vinson, 1898-1900; Martha Smith Vinson, 1829-1913; Robert J. “Barry” Vinson, 1825-1872; Thomas L. Vinson, 1853-1923; and Turner Vinson, 1859-1891. The other burial record adds Littleberry O. Willcox, 1840-1892.
Another discovery is the family furnished the memorial stones in recent years, which is why they look so new compared to the dates on them. And the park’s maintenance staff placed all of the stones down at the same time. It is thought the cemetery must have been a family farm, which is why the family members are interred at the site. On your way, enjoy the Summit Loop Trail to this little-known cemetery in North Carolina. Once you have, be sure to return to the park to take in some of the other trails and camping areas.
Seven trails wind through the lush, wooded forests of Medoc Mountain State Park.
These hikes are thoughtfully posted on signs at the parking areas nearby, offering such information as their locations and skill levels.
Each trail has a color assigned to it, which is marked on the trees along the way. Our adventure takes place on the Summit Loop Trail. This three-mile hike is considered a moderately challenging route, taking about an hour-and-a-half to complete.
Medoc Mountain's wilderness is being restored through reforestation, which is why a lot of the land is in various stages of regrowth. Interesting views along the way allow the hike to go pretty fast, such as this wooden bridge spanning Little Fishing Creek.
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The most challenging hiking terrain is from the short section from the bridge to the summit.
Wait a little and you might see some wildlife, such as gray foxes, opossums, and white-tailed deer. Water-loving mammals include river otters, beaver, and muskrat.
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And don't forget to seek out the freshwater creatures, such as crayfish, mussels, salamanders, turtles, frogs, and water snakes.
If that's not enough, then look up. The water attracts wood ducks and fish-eating birds, such as herons and belted kingfishers. Other songs come from the great horned and barred owls, and the red-tailed hawks. And if you ever take one of the full moon hikes, watch for the nocturnal southern flying squirrels.
Also keep a look out for the faster-paced runners and bicyclists, who ride in the opposite direction of the hikers. But as one can see, moments of tranquility are expected and created throughout the trails at Medoc Mountain State Park.
The ridges and creeks often offer benches to peacefully admire the sounds and smells of nature. Some common species of trees found here include river birch, sweet gum, alder, and ironwood.
This hardy mountain laurel offers its loveliness in the spring and early summer. But the trail is open year-round, offering the breathtaking beauty of autumn leaves and the white blankets of ice and snow.
And passing through brings questions. Was a house here? How many people lived in it? What crops did they grow?
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The only other clue matching that probability is an obituary clipping of Albert Livingston Vincent. It reads, “His remains were laid to rest in the old family burying ground at his old home place near Brinkleyville, yesterday afternoon.”
Brinkleyville also borders Medoc Mountain State Park.
Perhaps one day we will learn more about the Vinson family and why they are buried there. Hopefully some of you will discover some facts about them too. Until then, enjoy more trails at Medoc Mountain State Park.
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