A recent acquisition for Pilot Mountain State Park, offers a perfect opportunity for a new trail. The park has a huge parking problem. Visitation numbers continue to climb but parking is out of the question for many visitors due to limited spaces. This new addition allows hiking access without driving into and parking with the crowds that occupy the office and summit parking areas. The new, still not completed, Pilot Creek Trail is accessed off a dead end road. The property comes with a ready made parking area with lots of room to expand if needed. Hikers, trailrunners, and nature lovers will be able enjoy the park from this new access without impacting the main road to the office and summit.
The trail is just over 3 miles and connects the access on Boyd Nelson Road to the park's campground. There is a connection to other trails for those wishing a longer hike.
The Friends of Sauratown Mountains provided the labor and equipment to build this trail is just a few months. Huge thanks to Harry Wilson, Richard Nifong and Don Bergey for their efforts.
I very much enjoyed hiking through several very distinctly different forest types on this trail. On the slops of Pilot Mountain are mature hardwoods. Rocky areas support many Chestnut Oaks. A White Pine plantation is crossed. This old structure is made from hand hewn logs. Remnants from an old wagon are seen near the campground. And a delightful flirtation with Pilot Creek greets the hiker as well.
The trail becomes Official at its grand opening, Earth Day, April 22. There is will a dedication. Again big thanks to the volunteers who made this possible.
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