Where can you go to hike among 11 different trails which range from short and easy to 6.2 mile Ridgeline trails? If you’re up to the challenge you can hike up to 1625 feet with steep walls and cliffs that drop up to 150 feet for the daring and adventurous rock climbers. You’ll find this and more at Crowders Mountain State Park in Gaston County. The mountain was named after a German merchant and farmer named Ulrich Crowder who in 1789 purchased the mountain and surrounding land before moving west. In the early 1970′s plans were made to develop and excavate the mountain for natural resources; this led the city council of Gastonia, North Carolina and other concerned citizens to purchase the mountain from developers and give it to the state government. In 1974 the State of North Carolina created Crowders Mountain State Park.
Along the trail you can see gorgeous Carolina Blue skies and hundreds of species of birds and there are a variety of other animals to encounter such as: turtles, salamanders, rabbits, moles, foxes, deer and coyote. Bring your camera to get great shots of dogwoods and wildflowers during the spring and at higher up elevations you’ll find rhododendrons blooming and pine trees. And come prepared to spend the day walking/hiking a variety of 13-mile ridges with parkland extending down to the South Carolina state line and connecting with Kings mountain State Park and Kings Mountain Military Park. Crowder’s Mountain is one of two main peaks within Crowder’s Mountain State Park, the other peak being King’s Pinnacle.
From the top catch the panoramic scene while viewing King Mountain. And while you are there spend some time on the lake trail that has a 9 acre pond where you can rent a canoe to cruise the pond for $5 an hour. Two of Crowders Mountain State Park trails will lead you to its summit which offers a view of uptown Charlotte on the eastern horizon.
To get a lay of the land you can print the trail map online which maps out the trails of the state park so you can choose the trail that suits your hiking challenge.
There is no cost for your outdoor hike in Crowders State Park and the drive to Crowders Mountain is the perfect short day trip …only 40 minutes away from Charlotte, NC since its located in southwest Gaston County. Your hike in the mountain can start as early as 8am – 6pm and later in Mar – April close at 8pm and close at 9pm during May – August season.
How to get there:
Take Interstate 85 South , west of Gastonia, NC, take exit 13, turn left and follow Edgewood Road south to Kings Mountain Highway (US 74/24). Turn right on Sparrow Springs Road follow the signs to the state park.
Tell us about your hike in the Carolina mountains. Which mountain have you hiked?
