40 Hike Challenge Archives - Page 5 of 8

40 Hike Challenge: #16 Hanging Rock State Park

Distance: 5.3 miles one-way

My Hike: 6.7 miles (including Tory’s Den and Falls and continuing to the Visitor’s Center)

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

Elevation Change: gain-1564′; loss-1261′

source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Hike #16 from Tory’s Den parking lot to Hanging Rock Visitor’s center continues the MST’s journey through North Carolina’s Piedmont section and the Sauratown mountains. The trail provides a spectacular reward at the summit of Moore’s Knob with 360 degree views from the stone lookout tower. Moore’s Knob is the tallest summit in the Sauratown mountains (2,579ft) and from the tower you can see Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain and the extent of the Blue Ridge as it comes down from Virginia into the North Carolina foothills.

40 Hike Challenge: #13 Stone Mountain State Park

Distance: 5.0 miles one-way

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

Elevation Change: gain-1565′; loss-1076′

source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail

The hike through Stone Mountain State Park is the first of the 40 Hike Challenges in the “Piedmont” section of the Mountains to Sea Trail. There are many trail options in and around Stone Mountain- from summit trails to waterfalls. The main road through Stone Mountain Park (John P. Frank Pkwy) gives access to many different drop off points and trailheads for various opportunities.

40 Hike Challenge: #12 The Bluff Mountain Trail

Distance: 4.3 miles one-way

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Change: gain-1301′; loss-899′

source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Hike #12 of the 40 Hike Challenge is the last of the Challenge hikes that originates from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The MST follows the Bluff Mountain Trail through the Doughton Recreation Area. Doughton is the largest recreation area on the Blue Ridge Parkway with over 30 miles of trails. At the end of this hike is the Bluffs Restaurant, which was a welcoming place after the morning hike.

40 Hike Challenge: #15 Pilot Mountain Loop

Distance: 6.3 miles (Loop)

Difficulty:Easy to moderate

Elevation Change: gain-1137′; loss-1137′

My Hike: 6.8 miles (loop)

source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail

View of Pilot Mtn from summit parking lot

Pilot Mountain is in the Sauratown mountains, which are considered to be a part of the ancient Appalachian Mountains. They are located in the Piedmont and Section 7 of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST). Pilot mountain is an obvious landmark in the area with an elevation of 2,421 feet. It is isolated from the nearby mountain range and the original Saura people (also known as the Cheraw), referred to it as “the Great Guide”. With its sheer cliff walls, it is a regional draw for avid rock climbers.

40 Hike Challenge: #9 Pineola Rd to Roseboro Rd

Distance: 3.6 miles one way

Difficulty: Moderate with some wading

Elevation Change: gain = 811 ft; loss = 1090 ft

My Hike: 7.9 miles (round trip) Out-and-back

source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail

To date, this is my favorite hike of the MST 40 Hike Challenge. The location is very remote and only accessible via forest service roads (which are open to the public). However, the drive is worth it! The entire hike is filled with waterfalls, water crossings and plenty of outcroppings to climb and explore.