Pilot Creek Trail (Hike): Pilot Mountain State Park

Type of Outing: Hike
When: SAT 6/7/2025 9:30 AM
Signup Deadline: 6/6/2025 5:00 pm
Leader: Beverly Grier
Distance: 8 miles
Difficulty: R-16, Moderate
Elevation Gain: 800 ft.
Description: Join me for an out-and-back 8 mile, moderately easy hike along Pilot Creek Trail at Pilot Mountain State Park. From the trailhead parking lot on Boyd Nelson Road (in Pinnacle, NC), we will take the Pilot Creek Trail for 3.6 miles and then pick up part of the Grindstone Trail for another ½ mile to the old Rangers Station where we will have a snack. We will then retrace our steps back to the parking lot on Boyd Nelson Road. There is no limit on the number of hikers. However, for a maximum of 10 hikers who would like to have lunch at the nearby Jolo Winery, I have made a reservation for 1:30 p.m. Sign up separately for the hike and the lunch. Directions to trailhead: Take I-40 to Rt. 52 North. Head north on Rt. 52, passing Exit 132 for Pilot State Park. Exit at 134, going around the roundabouts, and head west on NC-268 for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto Shoals Rd. Go about 0.5 miles and turn left onto Boyd Nelson Rd. Look for the parking lot up the hill on the right. The physical address of the parking lot is: 301-303 Boyd Nelson Rd, Pinnacle, NC 27043. Directions to Jolo will be provided to those going to lunch. [R-16]