Crowders Mountain State Park
Encyclopedia
Crowders Mountain State Park is a 5126 acre (20.74 km²) North Carolina state park in Gaston County
, North Carolina
in the United States
. It is near Kings Mountain, North Carolina
and on the outskirts of Gastonia, North Carolina
, it includes the peaks of Crowder's Mountain
and King's Pinnacle
. Crowders Mountain was named for Crowders Creek which originated near its base. Contrary to some historical information, Crowders Mountain was not named for Ulrich Crowder. (There is no historical evidence that he was ever in this area.) The cliffs are a popular destination for rock climbers.
, an isolated erosional remnant that rises abruptly from the surrounding plain. Geologically neither Crowders Mountain nor King's Pinnacle are true mountains. Crowders Mountain sharply rises some 800 feet (243.8 m) above the surrounding countryside, and presents sheer rock cliffs that are 100 - 150 feet (45.7 m) in height. The mountain rises to 1625 feet (495.3 m) above sea level. The peak is believed to be the remnant of a much higher mountain which formed some 400 - 500 million years ago and was gradually worn down by the elements. The park sets at the northeast end of the Kings Mountain Range, a 16 miles (25.7 km) long range of low peaks which include the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain
of the American Revolution
.
The Park contains two peaks:
officially designated the area as Crowders Mountain State Park and it opened to the public in 1974. King's Pinnacle was added to the park in 1987. Another 2000 acres (8.1 km²) was added in the year 2000 and officially connected the park with Kings Mountain State Park
and Kings Mountain National Military Park
, both in South Carolina
.
to the east.
Gaston County, North Carolina
Gaston County is a county located just west of Charlotte in the southern Piedmont in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third largest county, by population, in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, officially designated the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is near Kings Mountain, North Carolina
Kings Mountain, North Carolina
Kings Mountain is a small suburban city of Gastonia and Charlotte in Cleveland and Gaston counties, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,693 at the 2000 census....
and on the outskirts of Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
, it includes the peaks of Crowder's Mountain
Crowder's Mountain
Crowders Mountain is one of two main peaks within Crowders Mountain State Park, the other peak being King's Pinnacle. The park is located in the western Piedmont of North Carolina between the cities of King's Mountain and Gastonia or about west of Charlotte...
and King's Pinnacle
King's Pinnacle
King's Pinnacle is one of the two main peaks located within Crowder's Mountain State Park. The other peak is Crowder's Mountain. The park is located in the western Piedmont of North Carolina between the cities of Kings Mountain and Gastonia....
. Crowders Mountain was named for Crowders Creek which originated near its base. Contrary to some historical information, Crowders Mountain was not named for Ulrich Crowder. (There is no historical evidence that he was ever in this area.) The cliffs are a popular destination for rock climbers.
Features
The mountain itself is a monadnockMonadnock
A monadnock or inselberg is an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain...
, an isolated erosional remnant that rises abruptly from the surrounding plain. Geologically neither Crowders Mountain nor King's Pinnacle are true mountains. Crowders Mountain sharply rises some 800 feet (243.8 m) above the surrounding countryside, and presents sheer rock cliffs that are 100 - 150 feet (45.7 m) in height. The mountain rises to 1625 feet (495.3 m) above sea level. The peak is believed to be the remnant of a much higher mountain which formed some 400 - 500 million years ago and was gradually worn down by the elements. The park sets at the northeast end of the Kings Mountain Range, a 16 miles (25.7 km) long range of low peaks which include the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain
Battle of Kings Mountain
The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle between the Patriot and Loyalist militias in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
The Park contains two peaks:
- Crowders Mountain, 1,625 feet (495 m), is in the northeastern section of the park. 35.232350°N 81.276439°W
- King's PinnacleKing's PinnacleKing's Pinnacle is one of the two main peaks located within Crowder's Mountain State Park. The other peak is Crowder's Mountain. The park is located in the western Piedmont of North Carolina between the cities of Kings Mountain and Gastonia....
, 1,705 feet (520 m), is in the western section of the park. 35.207817°N 81.312626°W
History
In the early 1970s a mining company conducted exploratory sampling on the mountain as preparation to purchase the mineral rights. Thanks to grassroots efforts by local citizens, educational institutions, and organizations the state government was convinced that the area should be set aside and protected due to significant natural communities, plants and animals, intrinsic beauty, and unique recreational opportunities. In 1973 the State of North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
officially designated the area as Crowders Mountain State Park and it opened to the public in 1974. King's Pinnacle was added to the park in 1987. Another 2000 acres (8.1 km²) was added in the year 2000 and officially connected the park with Kings Mountain State Park
Kings Mountain State Park
Kings Mountain State Park is a South Carolina state park located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina.This large hilly park includes the Living History Farm, which is representative of a typical early 19th century Piedmont farm...
and Kings Mountain National Military Park
Kings Mountain National Military Park
Kings Mountain National Military Park is a National Military Park near Blacksburg, South Carolina, along the North Carolina/South Carolina border...
, both in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
Trails
Several hiking trails lead to the summit of Crowders Mountain, and from the summit it is possible on a clear day to see the skyscrapers of Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
to the east.
- Crowders Trail - Strenuous, 2.5 miles (4 km). This trail winds along the base of Crowders Mountain which ultimately leads to the top of the mountain.
- Backside Trail - Strenuous, .7 miles. From the Crowders Trail this trail leads around the backside of the mountain to the top.
- Rocktop Trail - Strenuous, .9 miles. Admittedly the most difficult and technical trail in the park. It travels along the ridge of Crowders Mountain so each side has steep drop offs and unseen cliffs.