David Freeze: More Mountain State Parks – The Stanly News & Press

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Lake James State Park Visitor Center. Photo by David Freeze

A portion of the Profile Trail in Grandfathers Mountain State Park. Photo by David Freeze

More of the Profile Trail, on the way to Grandfather Mountain. Photo by David Freeze

Just a small portion of the 300 steps to see Stone Mountain Falls. Photo by David Freeze

About halfway down the 200-foot Stone Mountain Falls. Photo by David Freeze

The Hutchinson Farm 1880s farmhouse in the shadow of Stone Mountain. Photo by David Freeze

The 1897 Garden Creek Baptist Church, which still holds services in Stone Mountain State Park. Photo by David Freeze

Widow’s Creek Falls in Stone Mountain State Park. Photo by David Freeze

Quality mountain biking trails in Lake James State Park. Photo by David Freeze

Seen in Lake James State Park, home to 20 miles of mountain biking trails. Photo by David Freeze

Lake James, looking east in Lake James State Park. Photo by David Freeze

Stone Mountain at 2,305 feet. Photo by David Freeze

Editor’s Note: David Freeze is a runner, running coach, and long-distance cyclist from China Grove in Rowan County. He visits all 41 state parks in North Carolina. Contact him at [email protected].

By David Freeze

It was an easy choice to visit more mountain state parks on July 16. With temperatures in the mid-90s, I headed for the cooler foothills. My first stop was Stone Mountain State Park, the first of three parks I had never visited that day. My guidebook had told me I was expecting to catch a glimpse of the granite dome as soon as I entered the park, but I didn’t. It’s over four miles in circumference, 2,305 feet high, and is the centerpiece of the park.

I stopped first at the park office for some tips on the best hiking trails, a map, and my cherished passport stamp. The attendant looked at my back brace and suggested a couple of easy hikes to see a waterfall and a short one to see the restored 1880s farmhouse in the park. She told me about the most beautiful waterfalls in the park, but warned me about the 300 steps down and back to see it from the base. The office had nice displays about the history and wildlife of the park. The park, opened in 1969, has 14,353 acres and is up to 2,305 feet.

I drove down to the lower hiking area and hiked part of the Stone Mountain Loop Trail to see the Hutchinson Homestead, a beautifully restored house, barn, and a handful of other outbuildings necessary for the self-sufficient farming family of the late 1800s.^e century. All of the buildings are closed to the public, but I would love to return someday to see the inside. Signs told the history of each building, and most contained photos of the Hutchison family in the early years of the farm.

Just behind the farm and a little further up the trail I saw Stone Mountain for the first time, a real “wow moment”. I have seen spectacular scenery all over America and Canada and I can assure you that the real Stone Mountain ranks very high, especially when viewed from the top of what I suspect was once a large hayfield for the farm. Above all this at the top of the mountain is the highlight of the Mountain Loop Trail. Once my strength and balance have recovered more, I will do that before 2024 is over.

I did the .75 mile Connector Trail to get to the top of Stone Mountain Falls, the one with the 300 steps down and of course the 300 back up. Probably better seen in late fall and winter when the leaves are thinner, I couldn’t resist doing the 300 steps. Solid wood steps with a handrail helped and I was able to make the descent, but could only see about half of the 200 foot falls because of the lush foliage. I passed a couple on the way back who said, “We saw you with the backrest and knew if you could do it, we had to!” I had a great time, but my heart was pounding!

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

Grandfather Mountain State Park is one of the newest state parks, opened in 2009. The 2,456-acre park has no office, but does have nice trailhead restrooms, benches, and a parking lot off Highway 105 South. The park is still in development and is mostly wilderness with hiking trails, backcountry camping, and great views of Grandfather Mountain. The Profile Trail, the centerpiece of the park, climbs 3.6 miles from the parking lot over 1,600 feet of elevation gain to the top of the mountain. I hiked about 0.75 miles of the trail, all well done with good footings and new treads. Other trails are at the Boone Fork Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This is not Grandfather Mountain, home to the swinging bridge and other attractions. This park is managed by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation and is located nearby. There is 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 swimming beach in the Paddy’s Creek section of the park. I walked the Fonta Flora Trail, paved for a portion to the lake, which becomes a walking trail with the first of many scenic overlooks of the lake. It was packed sand and quickly crossed a steel bridge over a beautiful section of the lake before more dirt trails.

Lake James was my 10th park, but the first with a heavy emphasis on mountain biking. Nearly 20 miles of trails with rated areas for beginners, intermediate and expert riders is exceptional, and I was surprised to see all of this advertised at the visitor center. In my opinion, these trails, along with many of the hiking trails, would also be a great place to run.

The lake has excellent facilities for swimming, boating (including paddleboards, canoes and kayaks), 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 Revolutionary War-era Overmountain Victory Trail is available, along with at least nine other trails, none of which are rated difficult.

I am very excited to continue this quest for NC state parks. Ten visited and 32 more to go.