Monday, April 27, 2015
Hikes with Tykes: Fun game/activity for kids on day hike: A Change i...
Hikes with Tykes: Fun game/activity for kids on day hike: A Change i...: What would this stream be like if the area received twice as much water? Generally, exploring and discovery is enough for kids, but some...
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Stone Mountain NC - Debut of the High Point Adventure Society
After getting rained out for our March event, the High Point Adventure Society had their inaugural hike on Saturday, April 11th. We met at Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, NC to tackle the 4.6 mile Stone Mountain Loop Trail.
The weather was perfect. Temps in the low to mid 50's to start with a high of 74 for the day. We hiked the trail clockwise starting at the upper trail head.
We followed the short connector trail from the parking lot to the trail head where we were met by a free standing chimney. As we made the turn left we did not have to hike far before we were greeted by the Stone Mountain Falls.
The trail turns into a long staircase the cruise right beside the waterfall all the way to the bottom. A LOT OF STAIRS. The bottom offers a nice gathering pool and access to the falls. Note: I would not recommend doing what the visitors in the background are attempting, Serious injury can happen.
The next 1.25 miles is a scenic meandering walk in the forest to a large open field that gives you the full view of Stone Mountain from the base. It also is the location for the Hutchinson Homestead.
"Hutchinson Homestead: Complete with a log cabin, barn, blacksmith shop, corncrib, meat house and original furnishings, visit this farm that was built in the mid-19th century. Restored in 1998, the homestead is representative of the lives of early settlers in the area." (from Stone Mountain State Park website)
The trees and flowers were just starting to bloom which provided beautiful scenery for us to stop and take in some lunch before we made the strenuous climb up to the summit. Lots of rhododendron throughout the hike and I am sure nice blooming flowers that we were too early in the season to see.
The climb is not for the faint of heart and to be honest, was probably the limit we could do with our 3 and 4 year old. My wife carried our 3 year old to the top in the Ergo, but my 4 year old climbed like a champ.
It is a stout straight vertical climb with a mix of wooden man-made stairs and natural rock stairs. A good test to the cardiovascular system, but so worth it when you reach the top. The adults got a work out and the kids got a bit of exercise (but did not nearly show the fatigue the adults did).
We took a nice break on the summit to snack, gather our thoughts, reflect, and marvel at the scenery around us. The top offers gorgeous vistas of the peaks and valleys of the Roaring Gap area.
Once you have made it to this point, you can relax and enjoy the glide down the mountain back to the upper trail head.
It was a beautiful day with beautiful people. The kids all had a great experience and seemed to really enjoy being on the trail. I highly recommend Trip Advisor's top park to visit in NC.
 |
| 4/11/15 High Point Adventure Society |
The weather was perfect. Temps in the low to mid 50's to start with a high of 74 for the day. We hiked the trail clockwise starting at the upper trail head.
We followed the short connector trail from the parking lot to the trail head where we were met by a free standing chimney. As we made the turn left we did not have to hike far before we were greeted by the Stone Mountain Falls.
 |
| At the bottom of the falls |
The trail turns into a long staircase the cruise right beside the waterfall all the way to the bottom. A LOT OF STAIRS. The bottom offers a nice gathering pool and access to the falls. Note: I would not recommend doing what the visitors in the background are attempting, Serious injury can happen.
The next 1.25 miles is a scenic meandering walk in the forest to a large open field that gives you the full view of Stone Mountain from the base. It also is the location for the Hutchinson Homestead.
"Hutchinson Homestead: Complete with a log cabin, barn, blacksmith shop, corncrib, meat house and original furnishings, visit this farm that was built in the mid-19th century. Restored in 1998, the homestead is representative of the lives of early settlers in the area." (from Stone Mountain State Park website)
The trees and flowers were just starting to bloom which provided beautiful scenery for us to stop and take in some lunch before we made the strenuous climb up to the summit. Lots of rhododendron throughout the hike and I am sure nice blooming flowers that we were too early in the season to see.
 |
| Hutchinson Homestead |
It is a stout straight vertical climb with a mix of wooden man-made stairs and natural rock stairs. A good test to the cardiovascular system, but so worth it when you reach the top. The adults got a work out and the kids got a bit of exercise (but did not nearly show the fatigue the adults did).
 |
| Feeling inspiration for some art from the top |
We took a nice break on the summit to snack, gather our thoughts, reflect, and marvel at the scenery around us. The top offers gorgeous vistas of the peaks and valleys of the Roaring Gap area.
Once you have made it to this point, you can relax and enjoy the glide down the mountain back to the upper trail head.
It was a beautiful day with beautiful people. The kids all had a great experience and seemed to really enjoy being on the trail. I highly recommend Trip Advisor's top park to visit in NC.
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