Three State Park Weekend – April 17 to 19, 2009

Come and hike in Stone Mountain, Hanging Rock, and Pilot Mountain State Parks. The picture on the left is of the Big Pinnacle in Pilot Mountain State Park, on the right of Hanging Rock.

You’ll walk on Stone Mountain’s 700-foot granite rock dome and see an amazing field of moonshine equipment. Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain State Parks, in the ancient Sauratown Mountains, have high quartzite cliffs, moderate woodland trails, and isolation from other mountain ranges. This is your chance to hike in the lovely state parks in the Piedmonts and hike up to the Moore Knob tower, the eastern most Looking Tower Challenge. Mile for mile, hiking in the state parks is much easier than in Pisgah or even in the Smokies. There's something for every CMC hiker on this weekend.

We’ll stay in well-appointed cabins for two days at Hanging Rock or you’re welcome to camp at the same park.

Staying in the Hanging Rock Cabins

Each cabin sleeps four people comfortably in two twin-bedded rooms. It also has a large dining/living room, bathroom, a kitchen with all the dishes and a screened in porch. You must bring linens or sleeping bag, towel and all your food. The total cost for all this luxury is $160 for the two nights, so $40 per person.

Form a group of four and reserve a cabin. Each group must reserve their own cabin. Please don't wait: these cabins are very popular and it is strictly first-come, first serve.

To reserve a cabin, click here to see the reservation form. Print the form, fill it out with the dates, April 17-19 (two nights) and mail it to the Hanging Rock address. They will not accept reservations over the phone or credit cards. When you get your confirmation, mail them your check at least a month before the weekend.

Once you receive your reservation, please let me know who in your group will be coming - name, city and email address, so we can form car pools.

Saturday evening, we'll have a pot luck dinner, organized by Tish Desjardins

If you want to camp, let Kay Shurtleff know. She's organizing the camping.

Hiking

Friday. We'll hike in Stone Mountain State Park. We'll climb on Stone Mountain, a granite dome which rises 700 ft. from the valley floor, then onto Stone Mountain Falls and its amazing staircase. But the last part may be the best, a field full of old moonshine equipment. See the picture. 6.4 miles, 1,350 ft. ascent.

Saturday. We'll go up Hanging Rock and do a large loop to outstanding views. We'll take in Moore's Knob, one of the towers on the Looking Tower Challenges. This is a combination of two hikes for 11 miles and 2,500 ft. ascent. You can hike to Hanging Rock and back for 2.6 miles/700 ft. ascent and see some waterfalls. There are many combinations in between.

Sunday - We'll drive to Pilot Mountain State Park and do the loop, which includes Little Pinnacle and around Big Pinnacle for 7.5 miles and 2,000 ft. If you don't want to do that much, you can see the Pinnacles in less than a mile.

You can also drive to Mt. Airy, the hometown of Andy Griffiths and the inspiration for Mayberry.

If you have questions, call or email Danny Bernstein (828-236-0192).

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