Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, March 7, for a 4.9-mile hike at Crowders Mountain State Park, the second hike of PAC’s Spring Hiking Series.  PAC’s Director of Stewardship & Land Protection, Pam Torlina, will lead the moderately strenuous, “lollipop” hike along the Crowders and Rocktop trails.

The hike begins at the park office and enters a hardwood forest mixed with pine. Following a huge rock cliff, the trail ascends to the crest of Crowders Mountain offering beautiful views and interesting geological formations before descending and looping back to the starting point.

Crowders Mountain State Park was named after Crowders Creek which originates near its base.  The mountain itself is a monadnock, an isolated erosional remnant that rises abruptly from the surrounding plain; therefore, geologically, Crowders Mountain is not a true mountain. Crowders Mountain rises 800 feet above the surrounding countryside, with sheer rock cliffs that are 100 – 150 feet in height. The mountain is 1,625 feet above sea level. The peak is believed to be the remnant of a much higher mountain which formed 400 – 500 million years ago and was gradually eroded by the elements. The park sets at the northeast end of the Kings Mountain Range, a 16-mile long range of low peaks which include the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain of the American Revolution.

In the early 1970s a mining company was interested in purchasing the mountains mineral rights. Thanks to grassroots efforts by local citizens, educational institutions, and other organizations, the state government was convinced that the area should be set aside and it’s significant natural communities, plants and animals, intrinsic beauty, and unique recreational opportunities protected.

In 1973, the State of North Carolina designated the area as Crowders Mountain State Park, and it opened to the public in 1974. In the year 2000, in order to connect Crowders Mountain State Park with Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park, the final piece of land was purchased, creating a protected area over 13,790 acres.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike at Crowders Mountain State Park, contact the PAC office at 828-859-5060 or e-mail, landprotection@pacolet.org.

Hikers will meet at the Columbus Bi-Lo at 8:30 a.m. to check in and start the approximately 45-minute drive to the trail head.  Hikers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear; bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water. Be sure to bring any personal medication you may require.

Hikers will return to the area by 3 p.m., at the latest. In case of inclement weather, check PAC’s website, www.pacolet.org or contact the PAC office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the hike.

If you would like to attend future hikes, visit PACs website, www.pacolet.org/upcoming-events-hikes/ or PACs Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pacoletarea.conservancy. The next hike is scheduled for March 21 at Kanuga Conference Center.

Also, PAC invites the public to participate in a “Hiking Challenge!”  Complete five PAC hikes this spring and receive a custom bumper sticker acknowledging your accomplishment.

– article submitted 

by Pam Torlina