Hiking Question

tlucier

tlucier

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2007
Location
Mebane, NC
The wife and I will be camping in the Pilot Mountain area towards the end of September. So between Pilot Mountain, Hanging Rock, Stone Mountain and anywhere else in the area, what are the trails we need to hike. We want to hike for exercise, but we also want some photo ops (amateur photogs). Y’all have steered me right in the past.
 
I have only hiked Hanging Rock. Both the actually Hanging Rock Trail, and the one that goes to an incredible tower.

While it was somewhat crowded, there were long periods of no people around, and little places to break away and have some alone time despite other hikers.
 
77GreenMachine said:
I have only hiked Hanging Rock. Both the actually Hanging Rock Trail, and the one that goes to an incredible tower.

While it was somewhat crowded, there were long periods of no people around, and little places to break away and have some alone time despite other hikers.
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We’re camping Monday to Friday so I’m hoping the weekdays are less crowded. Thanks for your reply.
 
tlucier said:
We’re camping Monday to Friday so I’m hoping the weekdays are less crowded. Thanks for your reply.
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I would imagine so. I was there on a spring weekend, not hot and no rain lol.
 
Grindstone, ledge spring and jomeokee trail loop in pilot mtn let's you see most of the park

Moores knob is the one Phillip was referring to in hanging rock with the tower. That one and hanging rock trail are pretty cool, but there's also other trails down by the falls.

Haven't made it out to stone mtn yet.
 
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Hanging Rock
- Moore's Wall loop up to the observation tower. I prefer to hike it clockwise.

Stone Mountain
- Stone Mountain Loop trail. I prefer to hike it clockwise.

Pilot Mountain
- Park at the bottom off Hotel Pinnacle Rd. Take Mountain Trail up to Ledge Spring Trail, then Jomeokee Trail around the knob and back down the same way.
 
Wolf Rock Trail at Hanging Rock is good for photos at the 'summit'.

The Stone Mountain waterfall Trail is strenuous with lots of stairs but I'd do it again.

Edit: there's also a Wolf Rock Trail at Stone Mountain, so I'll have to verify which one I'm remembering. :lol:
 
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I would park at the Lower Trailhead Parking at Stone Mountain. That way, you hike up at the start of the hike, and back down at the later/end. That is what we always do.

SML trail.jpg
 
I would park at the Visitor Center at Hanging Rock and check it out before you hike if you have never been before. It is nice, and they have nice bathrooms. You can then walk out of the parking lot over to the lake and pick up the Moore's Wall Loop Trail behind the stone building.

Hanging Rock.jpg
 
drkelly said:
Hanging Rock
- Moore's Wall loop up to the observation tower. I prefer to hike it clockwise.

Stone Mountain
- Stone Mountain Loop trail. I prefer to hike it clockwise.

Pilot Mountain
- Park at the bottom off Hotel Pinnacle Rd. Take Mountain Trail up to Ledge Spring Trail, then Jomeokee Trail around the knob and back down the same way.
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Right with you on all this.
Stone Mountain has some lower falls, not huge by any means but both offer less traffic and a nice pool of calm water to relax your mind for a bit.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Right with you on all this.
Stone Mountain has some lower falls, not huge by any means but both offer less traffic and a nice pool of calm water to relax your mind for a bit.
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There is a MASSIVE liquor still between the lower and middle falls, just barely out of sight from the trail.
 
If you want one more place to hike that is within an hour of Pilot Mountain, you could check out Rocky Knob Recreation Area and hike the Rock Castle Gorge Trail loop. That is a fantastic hike. It is about the same distance from Pilot Mountain as Stone Mountain is. I can give you more info if you are interested.
 
drkelly said:
If you want one more place to hike that is within an hour of Pilot Mountain, you could check out Rocky Knob Recreation Area and hike the Rock Castle Gorge Trail loop. That is a fantastic hike. It is about the same distance from Pilot Mountain as Stone Mountain is. I can give you more info if you are interested.
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Thanks! I am interested & appreciate any info on that area.
 
This thread is bullshit. @tlucier , you know damn well you are gonna sit in the camper and drink beer for 5 days!!! :beer:
 
Rock Castle Gorge Trail is about 11 miles with some serious elevation gain. You can park at the top off the Blue Ridge Parkway, or at the bottom off of CC Camp Rd. I prefer to park at the bottom. Lots of cool features on this trail. Waterfalls, an old house, a huge rock garden, rhododendron, fields, cattle fence crossings, views at the top etc. This trail has it all.

Rock Castle Gorge Trail 2.jpg


Rock Castle Gorge Trail 1.jpg
 
@77GreenMachine @hurt4x4 @drkelly @trailhugger @WARRIORWELDING @strange1 Thanks for your responses & your input. Arrived at the campground yesterday afternoon and got everything set up. We hung out at the campground and got acquainted with the surroundings; we didn’t get out on the trails yesterday. That turned out to be a poor decision on our part as we’re now looking at a 90% - 100% chance of rain for the next two days. Hopefully we can get some hiking in on Thursday. Mother Nature & Father Time remain undefeated. :laughing:
 
I found a new to me place 20 minutes from home last weekend. Birkhead Mountains Wilderness in Asheboro. It’s part of Uwharrie and there’s an old farmhouse left open for viewing. A 10 minute walk will put you next to a large creek with incredible camping spots and views. Even a very deep hole for swimming. I really enjoyed it and hope to go back with the kids to scope out more and be able to test out the swimming hole.
 
tlucier said:
@77GreenMachine @hurt4x4 @drkelly @trailhugger @WARRIORWELDING @strange1 Thanks for your responses & your input. Arrived at the campground yesterday afternoon and got everything set up. We hung out at the campground and got acquainted with the surroundings; we didn’t get out on the trails yesterday. That turned out to be a poor decision on our part as we’re now looking at a 90% - 100% chance of rain for the next two days. Hopefully we can get some hiking in on Thursday. Mother Nature & Father Time remain undefeated. :laughing:
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What Campground are you at?
 
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