{"id":2241,"date":"2020-12-06T07:00:46","date_gmt":"2020-12-06T07:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?p=2241"},"modified":"2022-04-05T18:12:08","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T18:12:08","slug":"exploring-pilot-mountain-north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?p=2241","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Pilot Mountain, North Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We took advantage of a warm-weather day and did some hiking in our new temporary backyard at Pilot Mountain, North Carolina.&nbsp; It is only about 20 miles from where we are staying. Pilot Mountain is a state park with hiking trails, rock climbing, water activities, and campsites.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilot Mountain may look familiar to you even if you have never been there because of its iconic geologic knob called the Big Pinnacle (approximately 1,400 feet (430 m) above the surrounding area). You can see this distinctive formation from miles away.&nbsp; <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2258\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4433.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4433.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4433-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4433-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4433-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The top of the mountain provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Piedmont, Sauratown, and Blue Ridge mountains.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2259\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4419-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2016\" height=\"1512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4419-1.jpg 2016w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4419-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4419-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4419-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4419-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2016px) 100vw, 2016px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilot Mountain State Park offers a lot of options for hikers.&nbsp; There are trails around the base of the mountain, along the top of the mountain, and along the Yadkin River. You can get information at the new visitor center about the history of the area. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2243\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4411.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2016\" height=\"1512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4411.jpg 2016w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4411-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4411-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4411-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4411-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2016px) 100vw, 2016px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As long as it is not too crowded, you can take a paved road up to a parking lot on the ridge and access hiking trails and scenic overlooks. The park was practically empty when we went. In the summer it can get crowded. During that time, the park offers a shuttle service to the top of the mountain.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We hiked the Jomeokee Trail around the base of Big Pinnacle and the Ledge Spring Trail. The Big Pinnacle trail was a moderate hike and only 0.8 miles long. The Ledge Spring Trail was a mile long but the rocks we had to climb up and down made the hike difficult. We plan to go back to explore the other trails at the park.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-2241 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=2247'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2016\" height=\"1512\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4435.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4435.jpg 2016w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4435-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4435-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4435-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4435-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2016px) 100vw, 2016px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2247'>\n\t\t\t\tThe boys were the leaders on our hike.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=2246'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1512\" height=\"2016\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4430-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4430-rotated.jpg 1512w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4430-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4430-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4430-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2246'>\n\t\t\t\tThey got a little distracted when they found climbing opportunities. \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=2245'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2016\" height=\"1512\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4421.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4421.jpg 2016w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4421-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4421-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4421-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4421-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2016px) 100vw, 2016px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2245'>\n\t\t\t\tHenry is one with Minecraft where ever he goes. \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=2250'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1512\" height=\"2016\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4443-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4443-rotated.jpg 1512w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4443-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4443-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4443-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2250'>\n\t\t\t\tNature has a way of making you feel small. \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=2251'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2016\" height=\"1512\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4453.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4453.jpg 2016w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4453-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4453-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4453-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4453-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2016px) 100vw, 2016px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2251'>\n\t\t\t\tParts of our hike were fun for the boys and nerve-racking for the parents.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=2248'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1512\" height=\"2016\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4438-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4438-rotated.jpg 1512w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4438-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4438-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4438-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2248'>\n\t\t\t\tLucas looking for birds.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=2249'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1512\" height=\"2016\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4441-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4441-rotated.jpg 1512w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4441-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4441-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_4441-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2249'>\n\t\t\t\tCan you feel the excitement!\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was our first hike since we got back from Central America. It reminded us that we do not have to travel far to find beauty and experience the peacefulness and connectedness that we feel when we are in nature.&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was a good reminder that adventure is all around us.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We took advantage of a warm-weather day and did some hiking in our new temporary backyard at Pilot Mountain, North Carolina.&nbsp; It is only about 20 miles from where we are staying. Pilot Mountain is a state park with hiking trails, rock climbing, water activities, and campsites.&nbsp; Pilot Mountain may look familiar to you even [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2242,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,121],"tags":[16,62,66,14,15],"class_list":["post-2241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","category-united-states","tag-family-travel","tag-north-carolina","tag-pilot-mountain","tag-travel-with-kids","tag-worldschooling"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2241"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2261,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241\/revisions\/2261"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}