On the south side of the Yadkin, a sliver of Pilot Mountain State Park follows several miles of riverside. I'm part of a small group that walked along a social trail known as the Outlaw Trail. The trail follows the river bank where it can and rises high above when the obstacles become too great.
Our first attraction is the nesting Bald Eagle. Most often viewed from the opposite side of the river, we were careful not is get to close but our advantage was that we were above the next on a high bluff.
I knew immediately when we approached this cave, I would not be squirming down the hole. Two our group, the tallest and smallest did make it in. It requires that you enter head first, reach a area wide enough to turn and continue in tight quarters. About 10 feet in the cave constricts to a size which was unacceptable to continue. Although, it did appear that if one could make it through, there was a chamber beyond. We were told that it was large enough to stand in.
I hope we don't loose our tour guide!
The Outlaw Trail has this wonderful passage bluffside and riverside. We managed to find some wonderfully scenic spots along the river like the one below.
At this point, we are looking at only half the Yadkin River. What appears to be the opposite side, is an island. The river can be forded and there is a trail on the island, as well as primitive camp sites. Horses used to ford the river, cross the island, ford the other side of the Yadkin and continue on. However, that all cam to an end when the state park and the railroad realized there was no agreement for horses to cross an active railroad.
Our tour guide takes a break on this natural bench overlooking the river.
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