Stone Mountain Loop Trail in Stone Mountain State Park - Roaring Gap, NC
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” - Vivian Greene
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains. Think about that for a while!” - Ebi Calvin “Nuke” Laloosh
The Story -
On Sunday, my whole family along with our good friends Natalie and Matt, traveled to beautiful Roaring Gap, NC to hike the strenuous five-mile Stone Mountain Loop Trail at the Stone Mountain State Park.
Not The Contentious One in Georgia, But The Other, Better One In North Carolina -
Often confused with its southern neighbor of the same name (Similar to how to say Beaufort or the term Carolina Fan, the correct version depends on your locale and upbringing 😀), Stone Mountain Park in North Carolina is one of my favorite parks in the state. It offers a wide variety of trails with varying levels of difficulty, an awe-inspiring exposed six hundred foot plus granite dome, many gorgeous views, overlooks, waterfalls, and even a unique historical homestead you can explore. This was my first time hiking at Stone Mountain State Park in the winter, and even though most of the greenery save some ferns, pine trees and rhododendron were asleep, it was still magnificent.
Blame It On The Rain -
Despite the colder temperatures and dormant flora, there are several advantages to hiking in the winter. I personally prefer hiking in cooler weather, yet the main benefit for me is the fewer number of people on the trails, resulting in less crowded hikes. Don’t misunderstand, I am an extrovert and get my energy from being around others, yet I’m not fond of navigating herds of people similar to those found at The Honey Baked Hams prior to Thanksgiving. I can genuinely say that I almost didn’t recognize the parking area of Stone Mountain Park due to the scarce number of cars in the upper lot. Usually, parking at Stone Mountain Park can be very limited, with some visitors even occasionally being turned away during the summer. It was not lost on me that the overcast, wet, and rainy weather conditions likely also served as a hiker repellant this weekend.
Spill The Tea -
We opted to hike the Stone Mountain Loop Trail clockwise, starting on the view side in hopes that the rain and clouds would have dissipated by the time we made it to the summit side. It was an excellent idea (Not mine of course 😂), and almost hard to believe the difference a few hours made in the weather. We enjoyed the waterfalls under overcast and rainy skies, yet by the time we reached the summit, the beautiful blue sky had fortunately opened up offering amazing views I didn’t think possible hours earlier. Note that during the summer, I do recommend starting counter-clockwise on the summit side, enabling you to avoid the vast majority of people who come to only frolic in the waterfalls on the view side.
Stairway To Heaven -
The Stone Mountain Loop Trail is a strenuous hike that will definitely elevate your heart rate, but it’s well worth the effort and you will feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment upon completion. If you start on the view side, you will hike down over three hundred steps to Stone Mountain Falls and then back up the steep rocky switchbacks to the summit of Stone Mountain. If you prefer to walk up steps at the end of an arduous hike, then start your day on the summit side. You cannot go wrong either way, as both are gorgeous ways to experience all the Loop Trail has to offer.
Wrap It Up -
Stone Mountain State Park is one of the most popular parks in the state for good reason, it is truly fabulous, offering something for almost everyone. Go, you will not be disappointed.
