- Pilot Mountain (North Carolina)
Infobox Mountain
Name = Pilot Mountain
Photo = PIlotMountainNC big pinnacle.jpg
Caption = The distinctive Big Pinnacle of Pilot Mountain
Elevation = Convert|2421|ft|m|0|abbr=on
Prominence =
Range =Sauratown Mountains
Location = North Carolina, USA
Coordinates = coord|36.3401384|-80.4742242|type:mountain_region:US|display=inline,title
type:mountain_region:US
Topographic
USGS Pinnacle
First ascent =
Easiest route = Short hike to Little Pinnacle. Big Pinnacle is closedPilot Mountain, a
quartzite monadnock rising to a peak ft to m|2421 abovesea level , is one of the most distinctive natural features in the state ofNorth Carolina . It is a remnant of the ancient chain ofSauratown Mountains . Its original Native American name is Jomeokee, for "great guide" or "pilot." TheSaura were the earliest known inhabitants of the region. The distinctive formation guided the Native Americans as well as the early European hunters through the region.The town of
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina is situated near the mountain. The city ofMount Airy, North Carolina , known for its rock quarries and for being the birthplace of actorAndy Griffith , is just a few miles north. Mount Airy was the basis for the fictional town ofMayberry on the TV classic "The Andy Griffith Show ". The fictional city ofMount Pilot , which was often mentioned on "The Andy Griffith Show ", was named in honor of Pilot Mountain.Pilot Mountain has two distinctive
pinnacle s, named Big and Little Pinnacle. Big Pinnacle (also called "The Knob") has ft to m|200 high bare rock walls, and a rounded top covered in vegetation, reaching a height of approximately ft to m|1400 above the surrounding terrain.Trail s on the mountain (as well as a paved road) allow access to Little Pinnacle, and the Jomeokee Trail leads around the base of Big Pinnacle; Big Pinnacle itself is closed to climbing. The Ledge Spring Trail is named for the ledge whose base it follows, with a series of springs, and is a popular location for rock climbing. Other trails include the Sassafras trail.The rise to the Little Pinnacle, followed by the down-and-up slope to the Big Pinnacle, make the entire mountain look vaguely like a
saddle from a distance.Pilot Mountain is part of the
Pilot Mountain State Park , which also extends to theYadkin River and is closely associated with the nearbyHorne Creek Farm historical site. Other interesting rock formations lie a few miles east, atHanging Rock State Park .The mountain was also once called Pilot Knob.
U.S. Route 52 passes by this mountain, and also passes nearby another Pilot Knob, near the northern extremity of this highway, in the vicinity ofMendota Heights ,Minnesota .
=ee also
*
Pilot Mountain State Park External links
* [http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/pimo/home.html Pilot Mountain State Park]
* [http://www.carolinaclimbers.org/Main-Content/New-Guide-for-Pilot-Mountain.html Climber's Guide to Pilot Mountain]
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