Stone Mountain - Member Hike

Hike Name: Stone Mountain
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Nearby Town: Roaring Gap
Rating: 4 stars
Directions: Stone Mountain State Park
3042 Frank Parkway
Roaring Gap, NC 28668
(336) 957-8185

Stone Mountain State Park is located in Wilkes and
Alleghany counties, seven miles southwest of Roaring
Gap. From I-77 North, take Exit #83/Hwy 21 North/
Sparta/Roaring Gap (you will exit from the left lane).
Go north about 13 miles to Traphill Road/ State Road
1002, (you will see a brown state park sign) and turn
left. Go about 4 miles to John P Frank Parkway (you will
see a brown state park sign) and turn right. Follow the
parkway to the park.
From the west, take NC 16 to NC 18 in North Wilkesboro
and then turn right onto Hwy 268 East. Go about 3 miles
and turn left at Airport Road. Go about 6 miles to Traphill
Rd (SR 1002) and turn left. Follow the road to the John P.
Frank Parkway about 12 miles and turn left, following the
parkway to the park.
Total Hike Distance: 8.00 miles
Hike Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Permit Required: No
Hike Type: Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Starts/Ends: Lower parking area
Trails Used: Connecter trail, Stone Mountain Loop trail, Wolf Rock trail, Blackjack trail
Backcountry Campsites: No
Backcountry Water Sources: Streams
Management: State Park Service
Contact Information: Address: 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668
GPS coordinates: 36.3873, -81.0273
Office Phone: (336) 957-8185

Email: stone.mountain@ncmail.net
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Users: Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions: Primary Paved Roads
Hike Summary: Start at the lower parking area by the picnic area. Take the connector trail (.5 mile). When you get to the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, go left. Go down the steps along the waterfall. After the waterfall, the trail evens out. After crossing the creek, you will come by the old homestead. There will be a trail going up a hill on the left, this the Blackjack Ridge trail. This will lead into the Wolf Rock trail. Follow this trail to Wolf Rock. You will have views of the Blue Ridge Mountains that are spectacular. This section of the trail is not as heavily used as the Stone Mountain Trail. Backtrack and follow the Wolf Rock Trail back to the Stone Mountain Trail. Continue on the Stone Mountain Trail. Go up some steps and you will have more beautifull views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You are now at the summit of Stone Mountain. Continue on the trail until you see the chimney. Make left onto the connector trail back to the parking area. I absolutely love this trail! It can be a little difficult at times, but is well worth it. There are some creeks, waterfalls, scenic vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and stairs. Lots of stairs. It is a great place to spend the day, but beware of the weather. Because it is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the weather can change at any moment. The rock face itself is neat to look at because it resembles what I think the surface of the moon looks like. The ground had weathered away due to years of wind and water to reveal a hardened lava surface. It is smooth rock with pockmarks in it that is very unique (it's called pluton). One of the best mountain trips in NC's state parks.

Hiker:

jayemm


4,650 points


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