Trip to Stone and Pilot Mountains

On Sunday I was contemplating what to do this week. I wanted to go fly-fishing in Stone Mountain State Park. However the weather reports predicted rain most of the week. Monday morning realized if I was going to do it Monday night/Tuesday was my only chance. About noon packed my camping and fishing gear and headed to Stone Mountain via Pilot Mountain.

I have passed Pilot Mountain on highway 52 a couple times but never

Pilot Mnt from US 52

stopped to see it up close. Pilot Mountain is in Andy Griffith/ Mayberry Country. Both Mayberry and Mount Pilot are fictional towns near Mount Airy, an actual town. I drove up to the summit the mountain in Pilot Mountain State Park. The views of the surrounding towns and farms are beautiful even though Pilot has a modest elevation of 2421 feet. I followed two short trails to views of the Big Pinnacle (or knob). The day was overcast and the horizon was “smoky.” Would like to come back on a sunny fall day.  More…

 

 

 

 

 

Stone Mountain Campsite

Arrived at Stone Mountain State Park about 5 pm and set up my tent. The campground has about ninety sites in three loops. One loop has electricity in sunny sites another has wooded sites. I set up on a treed site. Fewer than ten sites which were occupied. The restroom included hot showers.

 

Before dark I drove through the park and observed scores of deer grazing along the side of the road. Went back to the camp, started a campfire and read a few pages of The Gold of Exodus in lantern light.

Buck Deer

 

 

In the morning woke before seven, ate some granola bars and fruit then drove over to fly-fishing only area on Bullhead Creek. Registered to fish area three and hiked up the

Bullhead Creek

trail alongside the creek. Entered the area 3 start point and worked my up the mountain slope in the creekbed. Cast my flies in many pools along the way. Found out right-a-way that some of the rocks were slippery. Landed on my butt at least five times. After about two hours, started looking for area 4 sign for my exit. Continued on and came across a few small falls which I had to climb over or around. I was getting tired and the area was becoming steeper and steeper. Decided to turn-around and work my way out the way I came. About half way back came across the area four sign I had missed. Climbed out of the creekbed and took the trail back to my car. About 11:30 signed out on the tail list. Next time I plan to fish the stocked area or wild trout areas seven or eight. Only went fishing today not catching. more …

 

 

Up until this point it had been overcast and the lightest of rain. I went back to the campground and showered and shaved. Had to take down the tent in the strong rain. It continued to rain for all of the two-hour drive home and all night.

 

 

 

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