Stone Mountain Loop

Highlights: Views, waterfall, historic farm, rock summit
Distance: 4.9 mile loop
Elevation Change: 967 feet
Trail Surface: Dirt, rocks, wood steps
Difficulty Level: Moderate/Strenuous
Trailhead Parking: Upper Trailhead parking area, Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap NC
Trail Markings: Blue blazes on Connector Trail, orange blazes on Stone Mountain Loop, signs at trail junctions
Website: AllTrails and NC State Parks
Beer Pairings: Angry Troll Brewing—Sir Walter ESB & Shifty Pale Ale

Trail Map:

The Hike:

This hike checks all the boxes: waterfall, great views, rocky summit, historic homestead, wildflowers. If you only have time for one hike, make it this one. Yes, there are a lot of steps. We didn’t count them, but there are several hundred steps. We hiked the loop clockwise visiting the water fall first (wooden steps descending), then the homestead (no steps!), and finally climbing to the summit (wood and stone steps ascending). Either direction there are steps up and down.

Waterfall:

The Connector Trail from the parking area leads to the loop. We went with the AllTrails recommendation and turned left and followed the blue-blazed trail clockwise. The trail passes beside Big Sandy Creek and soon reaches the top of the falls.

A series of wooden steps and boardwalk lead down to the base of Stone Mountain Falls. This 200’ waterfall cascades down a huge wall of granite. There’s more granite ahead, a lot more. Continue to follow the loop trail as it passes through mountain laurel and rhododendron. The trail crosses over the stream several times. Wood foot bridges make for an easy stream crossing.

Hutchinson Homestead:

The trail enters a clearing in the valley and Stone Mountain loom large in the foreground. The 600-foot granite dome is a designated National Natural Landmark. The farm dates to 1855 and four generations of the Hutchinson family farmed this land. They probably never grew tired of the view.

The park offers a variety of interpretive ranger programs demonstrating farm life in this area during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The barn, corn crib, cabin, and blacksmith shop are all original structures.

Stone Mountain Summit:

Continue on the loop trail following the orange blazes. Just past the lower parking area, the climb beings in earnest. Wood and stone steps follow a series of switchbacks as the trail ascends 800’ in less than a mile. Near the summit, cables help as you climb on the granite surface.

Amazing views open up on the right. Be careful, the granite is slippery and the drop-off is steeper and more treacherous than it looks. Follow the orange dots painted on the granite to stay on the trail. There are a series of overlooks including the actual summit at 2,305 feet.

Enjoy the views as you continue along the loop. After a gradual descent, the loop trail rejoins the blue-blazed Connector Trail to return to the Upper Parking Area.

Hike Photos:

Beer Pairing:

Angry Troll Brewing is just 30 minutes from the trailhead in Elkin NC. They have 12 taps of craft beer in the taproom and 8 taps upstairs in the brewpub. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and the brewpub serves really good wood-fired pizza, burgers, wings, sandwiches, salads, and more.

We both really liked Sir Walter ESB (5.2% ABV), an English Extra Special Bitter. This was a perfect “best bitter” from the classic copper color to the perfect balanced blend of malt sweetness and bitter finish. Shifty (6.4% ABV) a Pale Ale dry hopped with Citra hops, was another great beer. The food at Angry Troll is really good—we are already planning a return visit. Cheers!