Primitive Camping at Stone Mountian State Park

I have been to Stone Mountain State Park a 1/2 dozen of times and experienced almost all of the amenities the park has to offer including car camping, shower facilities, hiking trails, great fishing, abundant wildlife, scenic waterfalls, and unbelievable views. Only one of the parks amenities, primitive camping, has been eluding me until this weekend. A friend of mine has been having some relationship struggles lately and needed to get away for some mind clarity. What better way to do that then going deep into the forest? We arrived at the park around 4pm Friday, registered at the backpacking parking lot, geared up and headed out. We registered for campsite E. I had always believed that the trail descended into the woods through a small foot trail along the right side of Wilson Falls but not the case. It actually ascends up the ridge on the left side along an ATV size trail. The first 300 - 400 yards of the 1.5 to 2 mile trail is rather steep then flattens out. At the top before it flattens out we saw a deer with really big ears looking at us before scampering off. The trail continues to mimic Wilson Creek with 3-4 foot bridges crossing it. At one point the trail passes the remnants of an old and abandon homestead with an old sturdy chimney protruding through a bed of wildflowers. Once you pass campsite A the trail splits, straight ascends sharply up a cove for campsites B, C, and D while to the right ascends sharply up another cove to campsites E and F. Campsite A was just so perfect that we just had to stay there. And the fact that there's a 10' waterfall just 20 yards away and I was carrying a 65 lb backpack made it even better. Jorge has never been backpacking and only had a day pack so I carried the tent, hammock, cooking tools, food, water, and other essentials while he took his personal items, snacks and a sleeping bag. It didn't take long to pitch camp. Jorge took care of the fire while I cooked stroganoff for dinner. After a few shots of Seagram's 7 and an in-depth discussion we both called it a night. Taking turns with the hammock I retreated to the tent. Surprisingly, the night brought great darkness even with a new moon. The night turned to day fairly quickly. Popping out of the tent I noticed Jorge had surrendered the hammock to a sleeping bag on the ground. After morning coffee and blueberry pancakes we packed the day pack with lunch, snacks and water and started down the trail. Near the old homestead I watched a huge hawk gliding through the trees with such ease. Back at the parking lot we loaded up and drove to the upper parking lot to the trail head of Stone Mountain Loop Trail ( 4.5 miles). At the summit we relaxed, hung out and broke out some lunch. We then hiked down the other side toward the lower parking lot, the homestead and the base of Stone Mountain. I haven't hiked this side for some time and noticed the park had made some significant changes to the trail with cable fencing and makeshift steps in many areas. We didn't stay long at the old homestead, took some photos and moved on to Stone Mountain Falls. Bailey and I cooled off by wading in the shallow pool at the base of the falls. The water was numbingly cold but felt really good to my aching feet. Some kids really took a shine to Bailey swimming in the waterhole. Jorge wouldn't wade so we climbed the massive 260 step staircase and back out. We drove around to observe the deer population that runs rampid within the parks' boundaries. I always see dozens and dozens of deer every time I visit Stone Mountain but this trip we only saw 6 deer. Stopped at Wilson Creek Falls for more pictures but the crowd was too thick. On our way back to our campsite, passing a creek crossing, I noticed Bailey messing with something and then jumping back. With further investigation I see a nice size brown snake retreating under a rock. We loaded up with firewood before getting to the campsite since the forest floor near camp has been picked clean. Jorge kicks back on the hammock contemplating on his relationship so I took this opportunity to go wash up and change clothes. I gathered my things and went to the 10' waterfall were I went skinny dipping in the nature-made shower of water coming off the waterfall. The water was breathe takingly cold and had quite the force to it, but wow, did it feel good and cool me down. Dinner was Asian chicken rice with added chicken chunks. After observing several groups of backpackers pass our site, it was evident that all the campsites are now full, but yet so far apart for plenty of privacy. Our second fire took little longer to get started with the green wood we found. Breakfast consisted of country ham and mini bagel sandwiches. Packed up and hiked back to the real world. All good trips must come to an end.

Hiked: 11.5 Miles                        Deer: 6

Old Sturdy Chimney

10' Waterfall

Jorge on Stone Mountain

Me & Bailey on Stone Mountain

Our Lunch View

Bailey

View from the Old Homestead

Stone Mountain Falls

The 10' Waterfall Near Campsite A

My Nature-made Shower Is Above Bailey

Jorge Eating Dinner

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Me & Bailey Cooking

A Day Hike at Grayson Highland State Park

The plan was to explore everything Grayson Highland State Park has to offer and then hike up the AT trail and do some primitive camping for a long Memorial Day weekend but an engine light put a kibosh on that plan. The alternative plan was for an overnight outing so I called up my daughter and her husband to see if they were interested in going. Brandon was committed to a golfing outing but Cassidy agreed to go if only for a day hike. Grayson Highland State Park is two hours away up I-77 off US 221. Once we got there we drove around the grounds and ended up at Massie Gap with several trailheads. The first trail we explored was the Cabin Creek Loop Trail (1.8 miles) featuring two waterfalls. Only 10 yards into the dense spruce forest you could feel a 15' drop in temperature and today, that was refreshing. This trail is moderate to difficult with a steady decline to cabin creek over rocks and roots. The backside of the trail was flat. The forest floor was getting less dense with a layer of ferns and the sun piercing through the holes of the tree cover. This and the two waterfall was well worth the exertion. Back at Massie Gap, we prepped for a picnic lunch with a cold mini watermelon and ham sandwiches. Once replenished, Cassie and I hiked across the open grass field that was dancing in the wind like ripples crossing an undisturbed lake and through the gates at the start of the Rhododendron Trail. Ascending up the trail to the barren hills and the majestic views of distance NC mountain ranges. Reaching the intersection of the Appalachian Trail we follow the northbound trail toward Mt. Rodgers. Along this trail we encountered some wild ponies grazing on the high grass. These beautiful creatures are more docile than wild allowing everyone to touch and pet them while they lick the salt from the sweat of your bare skin. but what freedom they live. Cassie looks at me and said "This is worth the 2 hour trip here". I would have to agree but there's even more to see. The AT trail takes us past Grayson Highland and into the Mt. Rodgers Recreational Area through an outcrop of rocks to the nearest peak at 5400'. With the satisfaction of making it, the cool breeze brushing against our faces, an unbelievable scenery of the landscape in every direction and sharing it with my daughter is the makings for what I call a perfect day. After taking in as much as we can it's time to start back down through the outcrop of rocks, past the Rhododendron bushes, across Wilson Ridge and the barren hills, past the wild ponies grazing and back down through the dancing field of tall grass. Before piling into the car and heading home we finished off the watermelon. This day trip was so I could scout out the area for an even longer stay and I have to say I will be back and soon.

Trail: 6.5 miles

Cabin Creek Falls

Upper Cabin Creek Falls

Upper Falls

Massie Gap

Rhododendron Trail

Wild Ponies

Wild Ponies

Wild Pony

Wilburn Ridge

NC mountains in distance

Cassidy

Unknown Peak at 5400'

Cassidy with Wild Ponies

Awesome View