Type: Trail, Loop/Out-and-back
Difficulty: 6 / 10
Altitude: 890 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes, with leash
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Running
Located in Western Gaston County, and within an hour's drive from Uptown Charlotte, Crowders Mountain State Park offers some of the best outdoor recreation possibilities in the Charlotte Area. Take a peek at one of the park's numerous (and also one of its more unique and strenuous) trails, to the highest peak in Gaston County, King's Pinnacle at an elevation of 1,780 feet. While not towering in terms of elevation, the two peaks (King's, 1,780' and Crowders, 1,625' rise some 800 feet above the surrounding Piedmont countryside, affording breathtaking views for the hard-breathing runner. This 5,000-acre park is a favorite hangout of local rock climbers, who come to scale Crowders Mountain?s sheer vertical cliffs.
The beauty and diversity of Crowders Mountain State Park are best appreciated on its miles of trails. Hiking trails lined with wildflowers and mountain laurel lead along the ridges and to the summits of Crowders Mountain and Kings Pinnacle. Other trails are easy promenades through pastoral surroundings. Circle the lake on a gravel path or view aquatic plants and animals along a narrow creek. Bring a pair of binoculars and do some bird watching or tote a camera and capture the beauty of wildflowers in bloom.
Eight trails at Crowders Mountain State Park provide access to 15 miles of hiking and nature trails. These following four trails offer views of and from Crowders Mountain:
Backside Trail (0.9 mi) is moderate to strenuous
Crowders Trail (2.5 mi) is moderate to strenuous
Tower Trail (2.0 mi) is moderate to strenuous
Rocktop Trail (1.5 mi) is moderate to strenuous.
The remaining four trails offer views of and from Kings Pinnacle:
Fern Trail (1.0 mi) is easy
Lake Trail (1.0 mi) is easy
Pinnacle Trail (1.7 mi) is strenuous
Turnback Trail (0.9 mi) is moderate to strenuous.
Doing a loop from the park visitors center out on the Pinnacle and back on the Turnback gives a roughly 3.4 mile loop-with-out-and-back-summit run to the hardcore trail runner.
From southbound I-85, take exit 13 to Edgewood Road. At the top of the ramp turn left onto Edgewood Road. At the first stoplight, turn right onto Franklin Boulevard/Highway 74 and drive approximately two miles. At the next stoplight, turn left onto Sparrow Springs Road. Continue on Sparrow Springs Road for approximately two miles, and turn right again on Sparrow Springs Road. The main entrance to the park will be on the right in less than one mile.
From northbound I-85, take exit 8 to NC 161. At the top of the ramp turn right onto NC 161 and drive approximately a quarter mile. Then turn left onto Lake Montonia Road/Pinnacle Road and follow it to its end at Sparrow Springs Road. Turn left at the stop sign onto Sparrow Springs Road. The main entrance to the park will be on the left in approximately one mile.
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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