This former rock quarry and the 318 acres surrounding the dome shape mass of granite gneiss and the sheer cliff face was put on the North Carolina Registry of Natural Heritage Areas in 2007. Rocky Face Recreational Area offers great climbing access, 4 miles of hiking trails, picnic shelter, restrooms, and staff on site. Climbing is by permit only. Currently there are three trails; Hollow Rock Trail (2.5 miles), Grindstone Trail (1 mile), and Buzzard Roost Loop (8/10 miles). Another trail is under construction. The staff would come out and greet you, very friendly and helpful. I started up the rock staircase of Buzzard Roost Trail, half of which follows along a slab of granite up 100 ft to the overlook. At the overlook the Buzzard Roost Trail connects to the Hollow Rock Trail. With many switchbacks the Hollow Rock Trail goes up about 600 ft and loops around two summits. The Hollow Rock Trail passes a series of rock overlooks. I then hiked back down by the Grindstone Trail, more switchbacks. The Grindstone Trail follows a trickle of water down the mountain to a steady creek and back to the base of the rock face. Toward the bottom of the Grindstone Trail the forest is littered with fallen tree trunks. All the trails are well marked and moderate to strenuous hikes. If you want a quick getaway for a day hike, only an hour from Charlotte, then I suggest Rocky Face Recreational Area.
Hike: 4 miles
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| Rocky Face Mountain |
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| Rocky Face |
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| Rock Staircase |
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| Hollow Rock Trail |
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| Great Mullein |
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| Blue-eyed Grass or Star Grass |
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| Ass of a Tree |
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| Overlook on Buzzard Rock Trail |
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| Buzzard Rock Trail |
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| First Overlook on Hollow Rock Trail |
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| First Overlook on Hollow Rock Trail |
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| Second Overlook on Hollow Rock Trail |
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| Third Overlook on Hollow Rock Trail |
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| Overlook on Grindstone Trail |
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| Bottom of Grindstone Trail |
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| Rock Face |
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| Rock Face |
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| Rock Face |
Great post of this area and something I need to check out.
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