Sauratown Trail

Sauratown Trail
Tory's Falls is located near the Sauratown Trail's eastern terminus. It is only accessible to hikers.
Length 22.2 mi (35.7 km) main route[1]
33.1 mi (53.3 km) with spurs
Location North Carolina, United States
Designation Mountains-to-Sea Trail[1]
Trailheads Surry Line, Pilot Mountain State Park
Old-Winston/Coon Road
Brim's Grove
Sauratown Trails Center
Tory's Den, Hanging Rock State Park
Use Hiking, Horseback riding
Elevation Change Appx 600 ft (180 m)
Highest point Tory's Den Trail-head
(Ruben Mountain, if including spurs.)
Lowest point South Double Creek
Trail difficulty Moderate
Season Year-round, except hunting season[1]
Months January through October
Sights Sauratown Mountains
Rural farms
Streams
Small waterfalls
Hazards Tick-borne diseases
Mosquitos
Yellowjackets
Biting flies
Venomous snakes
Surface natural & gravel
Website http://www.sauratowntrails.org/

Sauratown Trail is a hiking and bridle trail in Stokes and Surry counties, North Carolina, which crosses the Sauratown Mountains and interconnects Pilot Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park.[2][3][4][5] It is the only bridal trail which goes between two NC State Parks. The trail is located primarily on leased, privately owned lands,[1][3] and it is the longest publicly open trail on private lands in the state. The trail consists of a main trail of 22.2 miles (35.7 km) and two spur loops each about 6 miles (9.7 km) around.[1] Altogether, the Sauratown Trail and its spurs total over 30 miles (48 km) of trail. The trail was dedicated by the Sauratown Trail Committee in October 1979.[3] Since 2002, most of the main trail has been designated a part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.[1][4][5]

The Sauratown Trails Association was founded in 1988[6] to succeed the Sauratown Trail Committee, and it created the current trail's route and its spurs. The volunteer group is primarily responsible for the trail's maintenance and continued existence.[6]

Contents

Spur Trails

Former Spurs

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wayne Horton (04/09/2009). Sauratown Trail (Map) (4th ed.). Main inset. 
  2. ^ Biggs, Jr., Walter C.; Parnell, James F. (1993) [1989]. "Piedmont". State Parks of North Carolina (2nd ed.). Winston-Salem, North Carolina: John F. Blair. pp. 176–187. ISBN 0-89587-071-1. "Sauratown Trail extends from the western boundary of Hanging Rock State Park, passes Sauratown Mountain, and connects with Grassy Ridge Trail at the eastern boundary of Pilot Mountain State Park." 
  3. ^ a b c Biggs, Jr., Walter C.; Parnell, James F. (1993) [1989]. "Piedmont". State Parks of North Carolina (2nd ed.). Winston-Salem, North Carolina: John F. Blair. pp. 142–152. ISBN 0-89587-071-1. "Sauratown Trail in Stokes and Surry counties was dedicated in October 1979. It is open to both hikers and equestrians." 
  4. ^ a b Lynch, Ida Phillips; Pendergraft, Bill (2007). "Piedmont". North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide. Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Niche Publishing. pp. 58–59. ISBN 978-0-9794591-0-8. 
  5. ^ a b Lynch, Ida Phillips; Pendergraft, Bill (2007). "Piedmont". North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide. Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Niche Publishing. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-0-9794591-0-8. 
  6. ^ a b Wayne Horton (04/09/2009). Sauratown Trail (Map) (4th ed.). Sauratown Trails Association inset. 
  7. ^ a b c d Wayne Horton (04/09/2009). Sauratown Trail (Map) (4th ed.). The Sauratown Trail Loops inset. 
  8. ^ "Announcements". sauratowntrails.org. Tobaccoville, NC: Sauratown Trails Association. 11/19/2009. Trail Updates. http://www.sauratowntrails.org/announcements.htm. Retrieved 08/10/2011. "The Wondest Tucker Loop trail is permanently closed to all hikers and horseback riders. Regrettably, it appears this loop closure is permanent due to Landowner wishes." 

External links