Amaroq's 5 Overlooks Hike

On Sunday morning, we rose early, broke camp, and drove to the Hanging Rock State Park visitor center to tackle the classic 5 Overlooks hike. We kicked things off with a return climb up the Hanging Rock Trail.

Starting at first light, we were only the second group to reach the summit, savoring the peaceful morning views all to ourselves before the crowds arrived.

On the descent, we passed a steady stream of hikers heading up, proof that our early start had paid off.  From there, we followed the Wolf Rock Trail to its dramatic overlook, where we shared the spot with just one other small group.

Continuing along Cook’s Wall Trail, we reached House Rock and paused for a quick snack with a great vantage point.

The next highlight was Cook’s Wall itself, the fourth overlook, offering beautiful panoramic views stretching in both directions.

We then looped back via the Magnolia Spring Trail down to Moore’s Wall before beginning the climb back up.

This section felt like the steepest of the day, especially as temperatures climbed into the warmth of late morning. By the time we reached Moore’s Knob—the final overlook—it was noticeably busier.

We found a spot for a short lunch break, soaked in the sweeping vista one last time, and then started the descent. Unfortunately, the visitor center was closed when we returned, so we couldn’t pick up Amaroq’s park patch, we’ll just have to make another trip to claim it.

With that, we pointed the car toward home, already looking forward to the next weekend adventure. Another perfect camping getaway in the books.

Hanging Rock Bike Trails

Saturday marked Amaroq's and my first camping trip to Hanging Rock State Park and we made the most of every hour. We left early and headed straight for the Bike Trailhead, a section of the park I'd never explored before. After crossing the road, we picked up the Round-necked Trail, a winding path that climbed to bluffs overlooking the Dan River before looping back as an out-and-back.

Near the trailhead, I noticed the bridge over Cascade Creek had washed out, so we crossed back over the road and joined the Original Loop instead. The Original Loop wound through gorgeous, quiet forest before connecting with the Major Tom Trail.

We followed it up to a ridge along the edge of the property, where Moore's Knob came into view - stunning, though the harsh midday sun made a photo impossible. From the top, we descended via the Rattler Trail, passing a trail-building crew hard at work on the way down.

A detour at the Farmhouse parking area brought us to a small waterfall on Cascade Creek.

A worthwhile stop before we looped back and finished out Major Tom and the Original Loop. 

Hungry and satisfied, we grabbed pizza at Rocky River Cafe. I had my heart set on a beer from Green Heron Ale House, but they were closed for the season, so we headed back to the park for one more hike, the new Hanging Rock Trail.

Near the base of the rock, the new section branches off along an old road and makes a sweeping switchback to the summit. It was crowded at the top, but I enjoyed a good conversation with a park ranger about trails in the area before we made our way back down. By then, it was finally time to check in.

With the tent pitched, we took a leisurely walk down to the lake and on to Upper Cascade Falls.

The sun had dropped low enough to soften the light, and I got a decent shot at last. Then it was back to camp with a fire crackling, the day finally slowing down around us.

Hanging Rock Hike

Saturday, we took Alex for a day hike to Hanging Rock State Park.  Arriving before 8, we beat most of the crowds and hiked up Hanging Rock Trail.  There were only a couple other people here when we arrived and we could enjoy the views.

We had a light snack and enjoyed the views as more and more people showed up.

So we started making our way back down and turned on Wolf Rock Trail.  It was about another mile to the overlook.

There weren't many people here at all and I scrambled around on the rocks.

We finished up Wolf Rock Trail and took Lake Trail back to the Visitor Center.

We then picked up Indian Creek Trail to head down to the waterfalls.  We first came to Hidden Falls, but the lighting was poor.  

We waited for a cloud that never came and then headed to Window Falls.  The lighting was just as bad here.

Since the rocks were dry, I climbed up to see the upper section.

It is basically behind the window in the rock.

Then we headed back to the visitor center and hiked out to Upper Cascade Falls.

Despite the poor lighting, I also climbed down to Tise Falls.

After that we hiked back to the car.

On the way home, we stopped for a late lunch at Oden Brewery in Greensboro.  Alex made friends with a few dogs he met there.

Triad MST Hikes

Friday, we took Alex for a camping weekend at Pilot Mountain.  We left Friday morning and first stopped at Cascades Preserve northwest of Greensboro.  This would be Alex's 15th hike for #mst40hike.

After parking, the trail picked up across the street and headed into the woods.  At about a half mile, a footbridge crossed a little tributary and split to form a loop.  Turning left, there was a little overlook.

There was too much foliage to see much from here.  We did spot some phlox growing along the trail.

The trail then passed into the next drainage.  The intermittent stream had a number of cascades for which the preserve is named.

The water level was low and lighting was poor, but it was a scenic little spot.  I'd like to return in better conditions.

Just past here, a rope crossing led to Kayauwee Trail, a short spur.

We also followed the MST out to Haw River Road and back before finishing up our hike here.

Next, we headed to Tory's Den at Hanging Rock State Park so Alex could complete another hike for #MST40hike.

We got on Tory's Den Trail to follow the MST eastbound, a steady climb up until we reached Huckleberry Ridge.

From here, it leveled off until Moore's Wall Loop Trail, where MST turned left and began a steep climb.  As we got higher in elevation, we started seeing the rhododendrons blooming.

Soon the trail got to the ridgeline and was more gradual up to the top, passing by some cool rock outcrops.

At Moore's Knob, we took the short spur up to the summit.

I climbed the lookout tower and could see the visitor center and lake down below.

Heading down from here, there were some dwarf bristly locust flowering.

We followed Moore's Wall Trail down to the lake, the end of the hike.  Alex was pretty tired by this point, so Sandy waited with him at the lake while I ran back to the car and picked them up.

Then we headed towards Pilot Mountain and got barbecue for dinner at All Sauced Up.  Then we drove to Pilot Mountain State Park and checked into site 9 at the campground.  After setting up, we built a nice fire and then went to bed.

Winter Hike at Hanging Rock

Sunday, we headed to Hanging Rock State Park for a late January hike.  Arriving around 930, we first got Alex's passport stamped at the visitor center.

After that, we hiked down the short trail to Upper Cascades Falls.

Usually, this one is very crowded but early in the morning, we were the only ones here.

Although melting quickly, there were some icicles right beside the waterfall.

After some pictures we started heading back.  At the stone bench where the trail turns sharply, we got off the trail and bushwhacked down towards the creek.  There's no trail and it's very steep, but it was obvious to follow the path.  About half way down, we came to a small cave with icicles hanging.

Continuing down, we came out at the creek at the base of Tise Falls.  It's a very pretty waterfall and much bigger than Upper Cascades, but lots of downfall on it.

And it's much more difficult to reach.  There were some interesting icicles forming off a branch right in the middle of the waterfall; I bet this is really exceptional when frozen.

We enjoyed the waterfall for a few minutes and then climbed back up.  Back at the top, we followed the campground road and got on Moore's Wall Loop Trail and headed up to its namesake.  It's a pretty steep climb, but at least it was cool out.  We stopped for lunch at the top and enjoyed the views from the highest point in the Sauratown Mountains.

Then we continued along the trail.  It follows a ridge line for a while then starts heading down.  Where Moore's Wall Loop and Tory's Den Trail split, we turned right to head towards Tory's Den, which stays on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.  The trail is mostly flat at first, passing by Huckleberry Ridge, then descends down.  It was steep at first, but got more gradual towards the end with a couple switchbacks.  Moore's Wall was visible through breaks in the trees.

After crossing the road, we headed first to Tory's Falls.  It's the highest waterfall in the park, but on a small stream and its impossible to see the entire thing.

The water was up today, so it was looking pretty nice.  Then we made a quick stop at Tory's Den, a small cave.

After a couple pictures, we started hiking back.  It was steep on the hike up to Huckleberry Ridge, but all downhill after that.  It was particularly muddy on the last portion of the trail passing by the lake.  Alex got really dirty and his toes were orange with the clay mud by the time we got back to the car.  He enjoyed resting on the way home, but didn't enjoy taking a bath when we got there.