An Outdoor Lover’s Paradise:
Hanging Rock State Park By Lisa S.T. Doss
T
housands of people will decide to run errands on a Saturday morning, which will cause traffic jams and irritation. It is the last thing you wish to experience, yet, the ease of traveling on another road away from the congestion of cars and people improves your disposition. Allow a GPS to guide you to Danbury and the Sauratown Mountains. The drive is not far, quite picturesque actually, and soon you will pass through the entrance of Hanging Rock State Park, ready for the day’s spontaneous adventure!
PHOTOS BY ARON DANIELS
One of the first places to stop is the visitor’s center, built in 1993. The contact station is a stone and wooden building that offers a full bathroom and exhibit rooms. A representative will gladly answer questions and be able to advise you on specific aspects of the park. It is a place to park and access many of the surrounding sights. Wooden posts, labeled clearly and marked with arrows, will lead you to the path you most desire. For those who want to hit the trails, start at the visitor’s center for convenience. An impressive 12 trails, spanning 18 miles of welllabeled, clean and cleared pathways will boost your expectation of how well Hanging Rock State Park is maintained. Hikers will experience cascades and waterfalls, high cliffs, and mountain caves. Most will be so taken by the view, it will be hard not to voice the words “beautiful” and “spectacular” along the way. The outdoorsman will already be equipped with good shoes, bottles of water and leads for the dogs. As long as your canine companion is leashed, he or she is more than welcome to enjoy the park. Be forewarned, though: not all trails are paved. For the advanced hiker, expect to find dirt roads leading up to steeper hills. Benches are placed, as a nice touch, for those who have the determination to make it, but require the occasional rest. If the goal is to reach the top of Hanging Rock, hikers will want to take pictures of the interesting rock formations and gorgeous views. Competitive hikers can enjoy the Five-Point Challenge, which includes five lookout points in a ten-mile loop.
An expert rock climber will tell anyone who needs advice to try Cook’s Wall and Moore’s Wall at Hanging Rock, a premier destination for seasoned and novice climbers. Side-by-side, the 400-foot cliffs extends two miles. From maps at the visitor’s center, climbers will find a clearly marked parking lot and trail leading to the well-known cliff, Moore’s Wall. All climbers need to be aware of the adventurous nature of the descents. Finding the rap station will be, as one climber expressed it, a “true Easter egg hunt.” At the top of the knob, visitors will find a lookout tower and a 360-degree view. Safety is a clear priority to all those who brave the cliffs. Climbers are responsible for providing their own equipment, as well as using safety practices. Registering for a free activity permit is available to all who want to climb. In 1994, Kevin Adams wrote a book entitled “North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide.” While waterfalls span the state, leaving some adventurists out of town for days, the Piedmont Triad can reap the rewards of living within close proximity of many beautiful cascades and waterfalls. Even on the hottest days, the Lower Cascades have become a popular place to visit. A paved path leads to a series of stairs descending down to the base. Platforms provide visitors the chance to stop and enjoy the beautiful scene. All of the falls are approximately a mile from the parking lot and accessible to all ages; however, signs will clearly alert visitors to be aware of steep stairs and potentially wet surfaces. Everyone will also enjoy the walk to the Upper Cascades, Window Falls, and Hidden Falls. While summer is an ideal time to visit, expect crowds, especially on the weekends. Hanging Rock is a great place close to home for outdoor lovers. There are many other opportunities to explore, especially if you also enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming. Races for cyclists and runners occur throughout the spring to fall season, as well. If interested, continue “sight seeing” and you will find a great deal more happening at Hanging Rock State Park.