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If you are a health nut and like to get out and hike, you are in a wonderful area. I just got back from Crowder Mountain and really enjoyed hiking. There are so many cool places around. On Lake Norman you have Jetton Park, Blyth Landing and another park which is fabulous and easily accessable from exits 25 and 28 (I-77). If you wish to go on an outing to the Lake Norman State Park you will have a great time as well. If you are not familiar with great hiking trails, go to the NC Wildlife site and find a listing. They abound. Just thought I would share my happiness with having these places.
There are SO many areas to explore! Access to wilderness areas was one of our big reasons for choosing NC, and it's hard to know where to begin! We've been up to the Pisgah area a couple times, but are going to start exploring closer to home also.
If you are a health nut and like to get out and hike, you are in a wonderful area. I just got back from Crowder Mountain and really enjoyed hiking. There are so many cool places around. On Lake Norman you have Jetton Park, Blyth Landing and another park which is fabulous and easily accessable from exits 25 and 28 (I-77). If you wish to go on an outing to the Lake Norman State Park you will have a great time as well. If you are not familiar with great hiking trails, go to the NC Wildlife site and find a listing. They abound. Just thought I would share my happiness with having these places.
Thanks for the tip! We will have to check out Crowder Mountain some time soon. We are always looking for new places to hike.
It's the closest real hiking (up a mountain) in the Charlotte area You take exit 13 off of I85 south to get there.
Thanks! I'll find it on the map and check into it. Would it be too steep for a 4 and 2 year old, even just to go a little way down the trail? DH and I were backpackers, but the boys are still at the "pick up a rock and throw it in a creek every 10 feet" stage.
Thanks! I'll find it on the map and check into it. Would it be too steep for a 4 and 2 year old, even just to go a little way down the trail? DH and I were backpackers, but the boys are still at the "pick up a rock and throw it in a creek every 10 feet" stage.
There are two areas to drive to that allow you to access Crowders. Here are the directions: ...::: Crowders Mountain State Park Traveler's Companion :::... (http://www.crowdersmountain.com/v1/map.asp - broken link)
With young kids, you'd want to go to Linwood Rd Access area and take the longer trail - there is a shorter one but it is much steeper and gets you to the top in half the time - not good for little ones. The longer one is a wide wooded path with gradual incline. If you did manage to get them to the top that would be the only time you'd have to be very cautious - there are drop-offs and rock scrambling to go further on the trail. However, you can just hike to the top and enjoy the view without going any further - a much safer thing with kids (while still getting the payoff of enjoying the view
There are two areas to drive to that allow you to access Crowders. Here are the directions: ...::: Crowders Mountain State Park Traveler's Companion :::... (http://www.crowdersmountain.com/v1/map.asp - broken link)
With young kids, you'd want to go to Linwood Rd Access area and take the longer trail - there is a shorter one but it is much steeper and gets you to the top in half the time - not good for little ones. The longer one is a wide wooded path with gradual incline. If you did manage to get them to the top that would be the only time you'd have to be very cautious - there are drop-offs and rock scrambling to go further on the trail. However, you can just hike to the top and enjoy the view without going any further - a much safer thing with kids (while still getting the payoff of enjoying the view
Thanks! Tried to rep both you and Bandi, but I guess you've both given me good advice too recently.
Crowders is very nice, but sometimes it does earn its nickname "Crowded Mountain". You can also park at the main parking lot and hike up to King's Pinnacle, which also has awesome views but is far less crowded (again, not the best for small kids).
I also like parking at the main lot and hiking the Backside trail up to the top of Crowders. A good 5 miler round trip.
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