Sauratown Trail is a hiking and bridle trail in Stokes and Surry counties, North Carolina, which crosses the Sauratown Mountains and interconnects Pilot Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park.[2][3][4][5] It is the only bridle trail which goes between two NC State Parks. The trail is located primarily on leased, privately owned lands,[1][3] and it is the longest publicly open trail on private lands in the state. The trail consists of a main trail of 22.2 miles (35.7 km) and two spur loops each about 6 miles (9.7 km) around.[1] Altogether, the Sauratown Trail and its spurs total over 30 miles (48 km) of trail. The trail was dedicated by the Sauratown Trail Committee in October 1979.[3] Since 2002, most of the main trail has been designated a part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.[1][4][5]
| Sauratown Trail | |
|---|---|
 Tory's Falls is located near the Sauratown Trail's eastern terminus. It is only accessible to hikers. | |
| Length | 22.2 mi (35.7 km) main route[1] 33.1 mi (53.3 km) with spurs |
| Location | North Carolina, United States |
| Designation | Mountains-to-Sea Trail[1] |
| Trailheads | Surry Line, Pilot Mountain State Park Old-Winston/Coon Road Brim's Grove Sauratown Trails Center Tory's Den, Hanging Rock State Park |
| Use | Hiking, Horseback riding |
| Elevation change | 600 ft (180 m) |
| Highest point | Tory's Den Trail-head (Ruben Mountain, if including spurs.) |
| Lowest point | South Double Creek |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Year-round, except hunting season[1] |
| Months | January through October |
| Sights | Sauratown Mountains Rural farms Streams Small waterfalls |
| Hazards | Tick-borne diseases Mosquitos Yellowjackets Biting flies Venomous snakes |
| Surface | natural & gravel |
| Website | http://www.sauratowntrails.org/ |
The Sauratown Trails Association was founded in 1988[6] to succeed the Sauratown Trail Committee, and it created the current trail's route and its spurs. The volunteer group is primarily responsible for the trail's maintenance and continued existence.[6]
Spur Trails
edit- The James Booth Loop is a spur trail which loops around on land owned by James Booth, a Stokes County Commissioner supportive of the trails. It is 4.9 miles (7.9 km) long, round trip from the Tory's Den trail head.[7]
- The Sauratown Loop is a spur trail that loops around the northern slope of Ruben Mountain. It is mostly within Hanging Rock State Park, and it is 6.0 miles (9.7 km) long, round trip from the Tory's Den trail head.[7]
Former Spurs
edit- The Wondest Tucker Loop was a spur trail that looped around forested lands near Vade Mecum Creek, and it offered access to a small cave.[7] The loop was 3.2 miles (5.1 km) around, and it was 7.1 miles (11.4 km) round trip from the Tory's Den trail head.[7] The loop was permanently closed in late November 2009.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Sauratown Trail (Map) (4th ed.). Wayne Horton. April 9, 2009. Main inset.
- ^
Biggs, Jr., Walter C.; Parnell, James F. (1993) [1989]. "Piedmont". State Parks of North Carolina (2nd ed.). Winston-Salem, North Carolina: John F. Blair. pp. 176–187. ISBN 0-89587-071-1.
Sauratown Trail extends from the western boundary of Hanging Rock State Park, passes Sauratown Mountain, and connects with Grassy Ridge Trail at the eastern boundary of Pilot Mountain State Park.
- ^ a b c
Biggs, Jr., Walter C.; Parnell, James F. (1993) [1989]. "Piedmont". State Parks of North Carolina (2nd ed.). Winston-Salem, North Carolina: John F. Blair. pp. 142–152. ISBN 0-89587-071-1.
Sauratown Trail in Stokes and Surry counties was dedicated in October 1979. It is open to both hikers and equestrians.
- ^ a b Lynch, Ida Phillips; Pendergraft, Bill (2007). "Piedmont". North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide. Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Niche Publishing. pp. 58–59. ISBN 978-0-9794591-0-8.
- ^ a b Lynch, Ida Phillips; Pendergraft, Bill (2007). "Piedmont". North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide. Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Niche Publishing. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-0-9794591-0-8.
- ^ a b Sauratown Trail (Map) (4th ed.). Wayne Horton. April 9, 2009. Sauratown Trails Association inset.
- ^ a b c d Sauratown Trail (Map) (4th ed.). Wayne Horton. April 9, 2009. The Sauratown Trail Loops inset.
- ^
"Announcements". sauratowntrails.org. Tobaccoville, NC: Sauratown Trails Association. 2009-11-19. Trail Updates. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
The Wondest Tucker Loop trail is permanently closed to all hikers and horseback riders. Regrettably, it appears this loop closure is permanent due to Landowner wishes.
External links
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