Kings
Pinnacle
 SKILL:
Novice
PROS:
Mountain-like
eco-system in the lower elevation, great views
CONS: No
car-camping, Crowds
and urban haze
WATER:
None
NOTES: Bring
a picnic lunch, Steep
cliffs can be dangerous.
Photo
Gallery | Map | Crowder's
Mountain
At
1,705 feet Kings Pinnacle is the highest peak in Crowders Mountain
State Park. This section of the park, southwest
of Crowders Mountain, is far less impacted
by visitors. If Crowders is for climbers than Kings Pinnacle is
for hikers.
 Because
it takes a longer hike to reach the summit, fewer visitors visit
this peak. As a result the foliage at the top is far more
dense than the summit of Crowder's.
 There
are also rare plants on this summit. This is believed to be the
southern limit of the Bear Oak. In 1991 Mountain High-bush Blueberry
was discovered here. Previously it was believed that it did not
occur below a 4000 foot elevation.
There
isn't any car camping at Crowder's Mountain State Park, however,
there is backpack camping available on the Pinnacle Trail. There
are two backcountry sites that are a short hike from the park
office. Again it must be said that these sites , like the rest
of the park, are very "mountain like". Rhododendron
bushes and the presence of many hardwood trees give the campground
the feel of a campsite in the higher elevations. The sites are
located just off of the well marked PinnacleTrail make an excellent
base camp for weekend explorations.
GETTIN'
THERE
25
miles from Charlotte take Highway 74 East exit from I-85. 1.5 miles
from I-85 watch for brown signs on the right. Turn right and follow
the signs. Linwood Road, the location of the Backside Trail parking
lot. is the first left. The main park entrance and picnic area is
straight ahead. Map your route with MapQuest>>>>
Photo
Gallery | Map | Crowder's
Mountain
|
