A short 30 minute drive from Hanging Rock State Park is the distinctive Pilot Mountain State Park. We had seen it so often on our way back and forth on the US-52 to Virginia Tech to visit our daughter at school but had never given it another thought. As part of our long weekend, hiking in Hanging Rock and visiting Mount Airy, we included a stop to Pilot Mountain . . . and were very glad we did.
Pilot Mountain State Park became North Carolina’s 14th state park in 1968, currently covering 3,703 acres (1,500 ha) and features the iconic geologic quartzite knob of Big Pinnacle on Pilot Mountain itself. The mountain, like Hanging Rock, are remains of the ancient Sauratown Mountains that have existed for millions of years. The peaks are surrounded by dense forests of table mountain pine, pitch pine and chestnut oak and more than 70 types of plants can be found year around. The park is also home to woodpeckers, ravens, fox, deer, raccoon and multiple species of amphibians and reptiles.
We visited in the early spring when the air temperatures were perfect for hiking and the conditions were dry. The seasonal crowds were starting to pick up but it never felt crowded, even on the popular Little Pinnacle Overlook. The trails, Ledge Springs in particular, have a lot of high steps up (or down dependent on which direction you’re going) that can take a toll after awhile. Take your time, take as many breaks as you need and really enjoy the amazing natural beauty all around you. Best of all . . . the park has no admission fees.
Pilot Mountain State Park Visitor Center
Getting to the Visitor Center is simple, just off the US-52. The first thing you’ll encounter is the Pilot Mountain State Park Visitor Center, a large parking area and an amazing view of the Big Pinnacle. The interior of the center is beautifully designed and very informative. In addition to a nice little gift shop you can also learn more about the fascinating geologic and human history of the park as well as the large variety of birds you’ll see on your visit. There is a shuttle service that goes back-and-forth from the Visitor Center to the upper parking area that can become crowded later in the day when the top parking lot gets full. There are also facilities here as well as the upper parking lot.
Pilot Knob Park Road
From the Visitor Center you’ll start the 2.2 mile journey up the north side of Pilot Knob Park Road. It will take you about 7 minutes to traverse the steep and windy road up to the top parking lot. Be very aware of oncoming cars as the lanes are narrow and there are numerous blind corners. Also keep an eye out for bicyclists and occasionally even pedestrians. Though you can choose to start hiking from the Visitor Center, as you ascend, you’ll appreciate driving to get to the top instead.
Pilot Mountain Unnamed Overview
The first overlook isn’t marked, yet provides as stunning a view as the more prominent Little Pinnacle and Yadkin Valley overlooks. To your north (or left) is a fantastic view of the south side of Big Pinnacle reminiscent of Yosemite’s Half Dome. Topped with pine and oak trees the rock face, 1,400 feet above the valley floor and rising an additional 200 feet from its base, is mostly bare and partially reflects each morning’s sun from this unique vantage point. To the left of Big Pinnacle is Little Pinnacle, which while not as dramatic as its more prodigious companion, is quite similar in makeup.
The rest of the views cover farmland, forests and portions of the Yadkin Valley and Yadkin River below as well as distant views of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. While the lush green summer views are more stunning, each season has it’s advantages. For instance, in the early spring and late fall the lack of leaves on the trees means you can experience views that otherwise wouldn’t be visible. As you exit the Unnamed overlook continue up the hill to . . .
Little Pinnacle Overlook
The Little Pinnacle Overlook is comprised of several, exceedingly better, vantage points overlooking the Yadkin Valley. Ascending the dirt and flat rock path you catch glimpses of the south facing Little Pinnacle rock face. From the first platform you get a similar, yet wider, view of the valley as well as the unnamed overlook platform.
From the top platform you get a near 360° perspective of the surrounding vista. There’s a completely unobscured view of Big Pinnacle that includes the Jomeokee Trail, directly below, as well as partial views of Hanging Rock State Park and the Sauratown Mountains just beyond to the north. This is a great vantage point to see all of the birds that are constantly circling Big Pinnacle. To the west is the Blue Ridge Mountains with views of Fisher Peak, Point Lookout and Buck Mountain and to the north is Mount Airy. This is definitely the best overlook in Pilot Mountain State park.
Jomeokee Trail
Back at the entrance of the Little Pinnacle Overlook, turn to your right and you’ll see a sign for the Jomeokee Trail. It’s a deceivingly short trail at only .8 mile (1.3 km) but it took us almost 2 hours to complete. The biggest reason for this is you’ll find yourself stopping quite often to take in the natural beauty all around you. You begin by traversing down (and up) a dirt and gravel path, intersected by several stone steps, with heavily wooded forest to your left and steep cliffs to your right.
As you walk along you’ll see Big Pinnacle getting closer through the trees just off to your left. You’ll past the trailhead for the Ledge Springs Trail to your right and happen upon an inverse L-shaped tree seemingly designed specifically for a picture spot. At a Y make sure to take the stone stairs up and to your right to begin your counter-clockwise journey around the base of Big Pinnacle. You might find yourself stopping to get a great view of the sun shining through the wings of the many hawks flying around the top of the peak.
The high vertical rock faces begin to dominate your views as they tower to your left just as the valley views to your right come into focus. The rock faces take on many different shapes, sizes and colors. Some are flat and solid while others are layered and checkered with color from a million years of resisting wind and water. There are fissures, fallen rocks and overhangs that continually change from the base to the top.
You’ll marvel at the trees and plant life that seemingly spring from the rocks themselves stretching out to grab their share of sunlight. There are plenty of places to stop, take a rest, eat a snack or just get hydrated. Make sure to turn around occasionally and look behind you. The sun playing off the rocks and trees will likely make your view entirely unique especially if you are hiking in the morning or late afternoon. As you hike on the valley views continue to impress as the sounds of the birds overhead draw your attention upward.
The path around Big Pinnacle is relatively flat and easy and, along with spectacular valley views, there are also some fantastic natural stone steps that make it even more interesting. As you get to the east-facing portion the morning sun really lights up the cliff faces while also creating shadows that give the rocks even more character. Depending on the time of day you’re hiking you’ll round a corner and suddenly lose the sun, experiencing a noticeable decrease in air temperature. In the summer you’ll appreciate the change but in the fall or winter it can get quite chilly in an instant.
On the west side of Big Pinnacle there are some beautiful peaks high up that stand out against the sky. There are also more flat spires that tower straight up, in stark contrast to the multitude of layers, fissures and overhangs on the east side. Around ¾ of the way around you’ll see a large flat rock to your right that provides not only a wonderful spot to lay down and relax but also a perfect place for a memorable picture. Take one last look at Big Pinnacle as you wind your way around back to the Ledge Springs Trail you passed earlier.
Ledge Springs Trail
The Ledge Springs Trail looks rather innocuous on paper but proved to be the most arduous part of our day. Though only a mile, virtually none of it is flat and consists primarily of long downward steps. There is a sign at the trailhead that states “this trail feels like climbing a 10 story building 10 times . . . kinda sums it up. All that being said, it is a fantastic trail! The trail winds its way around the southern part of the mountain starting underneath Little Pinnacle. It starts with an excellent view of Big Pinnacle and the Yadkin Valley.
The craggy, layered cliff face of Big Pinnacle is repeated providing an endless array of visual delights. The abundance of tree roots and rocky terrain made us appreciate our hiking shoes more than normal. About 10 minutes in we saw our first rock climbers as they traversed their way up the shear rock face. Groups of climbers became the norm over the next quarter mile or so and we stopped each time to marvel not only at their courage (or craziness) but also the skills necessary to excel and enjoy this activity.
Areas of the mountain side had “weeping falls” where water has found its way though the rock openings and drips down the side of the rock face leaving the rock permanently wet. Other areas featured huge overhanging rocks, steep paths, rock scrambles, massive rock layers and vast fissures. Eventually you’ll reach a bench with a chance to continue on the Grindstone Trail either an additional 3 miles of strenuous hiking or proceed to the Summit Area Parking Lot . . . we chose the later.
Grindstone Trail
This portion of the Grindstone Trail is pretty tame, especially compared to the Ledge Springs Trail. The switchback path alternates between dirt and rock but is steadily uphill. You have beautiful views of the Yadkin Valley along the way but no dramatic rock formations until . . .
Three Bears Gulley
Three Bears Gulley is a short offshoot from the Grindstone Trail that provides a real nice rock cluster similar to the Rock Garden at Hanging Rock. You are afforded a wonderful vista view of the Yadkin Valley as well as a birds-eye view of another lookout rock cluster about halfway down the grade. To the left are a series of layered rocks that form a half-oval shape and brightly reflect the suns rays. A nice place to stop, take a hydration break before the final ascent back to the Summit parking lot.
Yadkin Valley Overlook
Back at the Summit parking lot turn right all the way to the end of the path where you’ll find the Yadkin Valley Overlook platform. There is a helpful display that highlights some of the mountain ranges viewable including Morrow Mountain State Park, Youngs Mountain, Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain State Park. It also provides an abbreviated history of the area that covers over 1.4 million acres (566,560 ha) covering four different counties that includes both the Yadkin and Ararat Rivers.
Pilot Mountain Final Thoughts
Pilot Mountain can take a single day, or several days, depending on your ambition and interest in exploring this ancient rock. You definitely want to arrive early so you can park in the Summit Parking Area unless you choose to hike all the way up the mountainside from the Visitor Center. Early entrance will also help you avoid heavy crowds and, particularly in the summer, the warmer parts of the day.
What is your favorite mountain? We’d love to hear about some of your adventures!
