David Freeze: More mountain state parks

Editor’s note: David Freeze is a runner, running coach and long-distance cyclist from China Grove in Rowan County. He is visiting all 41 state parks in North Carolina. Contact him at david.freeze@ctc.net .

By David Freeze

Visiting more mountain state parks on July 16 was an easy choice. With highs in the mid-90s here, I headed for the cooler hills. My first stop was Stone Mountain State Park, the first of three parks for the day that I had never visited. From my guidebook, I expected to see glimpses of the granite dome as soon as I entered the park, but I didn’t. Over four miles in circumference, it stands at 2,305 feet and is the centerpiece of the park.

I stopped first at the park office for some tips on the best hiking, a map and my treasured passport stamp. The attendant looked at my back brace and suggested some easy hikes to see a waterfall and a short one to see the restored 1880s farm within the park. She told me about the prettiest falls in the park but cautioned me because of 300 steps down and back to see it from the base. The office had nice displays concerning the history and wildlife in the park. The park, opened in 1969, has 14,353 acres and tops out at 2,305 feet.

I drove to the lower hiking area and walked a portion of the Stone Mountain Loop Trail to see the Hutchinson Homestead, a wonderfully restored house, barn and a handful of other outbuildings required for the self-sufficient farm family of the late 19 ^th century. All the buildings are closed to the public, but I would love to return someday to see the insides. Signboards told of the history of each building and most of them included photos of the Hutchison family in the early years of the farm.

Just behind the farm and slightly farther up the trail was my first sight of Stone Mountain, a genuine “wow moment.” I’ve seen spectacular scenery all across America and Canada and assure you the actual stone mountain ranks very highly, especially when viewed from the top of what I suspect was once a large hay field for the farm. Above all this on the top of the mountain is the highlight of the Mountain Loop Trail. Once my strength and balance recover more, I will do that one before 2024 is out.

I did the .75-mile Connector Trail to stand atop the Stone Mountain Falls, the one with the 300 steps down and of course 300 back up. Probably better seen in the late fall and winter with less foliage, I still couldn’t stand not to do the 300 steps. Solid wood steps with a railing helped and I was able to make the descent but could only see about half of the 200 feet of the falls due to the lush foliage. I met a couple on the way back up who said, “We saw you with the back brace and knew if you could make it, we had to do it!” I had a blast, but my heart was pumping!

I also walked the short distance to Widow’s Creek Falls, complete with plenty of standing water for a cool pool dip. My last stop in the park was the historic Garden Creek Baptist Church, established in 1897 and still holding services on Sunday.

Grandfather Mountain State Park is one of the newest state parks, opened in 2009. The 2,456-acre park doesn’t have an office but has nice trail-end bathrooms, benches and a parking lot off Highway 105 South. Still in developmental stage, the park is mostly wilderness with hiking trails, backcountry camping sites and beautiful views of Grandfather Mountain. The Profile Trail, the centerpiece of the park, climbs from the parking lot 3.6 miles over 1,600 feet in elevation increase to the crest of the mountain. I walked about .75 miles of the trail, all well done with good footing and new steps. Other trails are at the Boone Fork Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This is not the Grandfather Mountain, home of the swinging bridge and other attractions. Operated by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation and located close by, this park charges an admission fee.

Lake James State Park, established in 1987, has 3,743 acres and 150 miles of shoreline. Lake James was created by Duke Power in the early 1900s. The park office/visitor center is new and impressive. There is a 700-foot swim beach area in the Paddy’s Creek Section of the park. I walked the Fonta Flora Trail, paved for a section down to the lake, that becomes a walking trail with the first of the many scenic views of the lake. Becoming packed dirt, it quickly crossed a steel bridge over a beautiful section of the lake, before more dirt trail.

Lake James was my 10th park, but the first with a major emphasis on mountain biking. Nearly 20 miles of trail with rated areas for beginners, intermediate and experienced bikers are exceptional, and I was surprised to see all of this promoted in the visitor center. In my view, these trails along with many of the hiking trails would be a great place for running too.

The lake has excellent facilities for swimming, boating (paddleboards, canoes, kayaks too), picnicking and fishing in or on its 6,812 acres of beautiful water fed by the Linville and Catawba Rivers.

Finally, a two-mile section of the Overmountain Victory Trail from the Revolutionary War along with at least nine other hiking trails, none rated strenuous, are available.

I am way excited to continue this quest of the N.C. state parks. Ten visited with 32 more to go.

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