sweetwilder

June 9, 2018

Stone Mountain S.P. is located in the middle of nowhere. Nestled in between Alleghany and Wilkes counties in the northwestern portion of North Carolina, it took us nearly an hour and a half of back roads driving to find it. I remember going to the park about 15 years ago, but that was a distant memory.

“One of the park’s most spectacular features is Stone Mountain, a 600-foot granite dome. This magnificent feature is part of a 25-square-mile pluton, an igneous rock formed beneath the earth’s surface by molten lava. Over time, wind, water and other forces gradually eroded the softer layers of rock atop the granite block and exposed the outcrop we see today. Wet weather springs continually carve troughs in the granite as water runs down the mountain’s sloping face.” (*1) The other prominent attraction of the park is the Hutchinson Homestead which is “complete with a log cabin, barn, blacksmith shop, corncrib, meat house and original furnishings.” (*2) One can’t help but marvel at the home located at the base of such a monumental rock formation. I was inspired by the simple wooden fence to protect their garden and the time enduring craftsmanship of the home.

We had intended on hiking to the homestead and then heading up Stone Mountain, but a thunderstorm prevented us from the latter. This is a neat park, full of history, vistas and activities and one I highly recommend.

(*1) https://www.ncparks.gov/stone-mountain-state-park/history

(*2) https://www.ncparks.gov/stone-mountain-state-park/education