Outdoor Adventures - Lake Norman Chapter

New Meeting Time: 9:45 AM.
Let’s celebrate Christmas Eve with a fun unique hike that involves the Mountain to Sea Trail, urban part of Elkin, river and streams, and a nice greenway.

This is a one way +/- 6 mile easy hike without a lot of elevation gain. We will meet at Food Lion in Elkin and then carpool over to the beginning off the trail.

This is a fun special hike involving a lot of different things including rivers, streams, woods, railroads, urban area, greenway, and historical places.

We will pass restrooms on the hike.

Optional- where Christmas colors

Optional- if the group wants to do a little more mileage we can do that

Pack water and snacks.

Carpool: Contact me if you would like to carpool from Statesville. 704-516-1001

Afterwards we will go to the Mango Peel, a good Mexican restaurant for lunch and drinks. 1019 N Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621

People say this restaurant serves delicious chimichangas, tamales, and homemade guacamole. They also highlight the flavorful salsas and affordable prices.

Elkin, NC, grew from Native American settlements into a vital textile and manufacturing hub, founded by Richard Gwyn in the 1840s who built mills (cotton, textiles) on the Big Elkin Creek. The arrival of the railroad in 1890 spurred growth, with Chatham Manufacturing (textiles- still in business today!) becoming a key employer, though floods and the Depression tested the town. Today, Elkin blends its textile past with a revitalized downtown, the Yadkin Valley wine region, arts, and outdoor recreation, maintaining its charm as a Blue Ridge foothill town

If you are a very serious hiker, you don't want to miss this jem of a hike. This is an out and back 15 miles-4,500 elevation gain to the Pinnacle Mountain summit with fantastic views in the beautiful Pisgah National Forest near Old Fort, NC. You will be rewarded with one of the best views in the state if weather is cooperative.

This route features great uphill climbing along a scenic ridgeline with many overlooks along the way. The view from Pinnacle is spectacular and worth the effort to marvel at the surrounding mountain views. There is one water crossing located at the beginning which is relatively manageable as long as there has not been an abundance of rainfall.

Note: this is a winter hike and up at +5,600 feet it can be cold. Long range forecast for the lower elevation town of Old Fort is a high and low of 67/43 degrees.

Who can attend: Serious hikers that have hiked with me before. ***If you have not hiked with me before, you need to contact me in advance BEFORE you sign up. My number is 704-516-1001 ***

Time: Start promptly at 9:30 AM

Hike Location: Graphite, NC

Trails: Star Gap, Heartbreak Ridge, private trail, Old Mitchell Toll Road, and Pinnacle Trail

Duration: this will be a 7.5-8 hour hike

Restrooms: None

Pack: Lots of layers, hiking poles, headlamps, water, lunch, and a strong fortitude and perseverance attitude.

Lunch: We will have lunch at the summit and if not too cold, we will enjoy the summit for an extended period of time.

Post hike: We will be going to the popular Hillman's brewery afterwards for dinner and drinks in the charming town of Old Fort. Address: 78 Catawba Ave, Old Fort, NC 28762.

https://hillmanbeer.com/old-fort-taproom/

The Pinnacle Mountain is a significant peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with its summit reaching 5,665 feet (1,727 meters), making it the highest point in McDowell County and a key landmark for hikers with stunning views of the Black Mountains (including Mt. Mitchell) and Swannanoa Range.