The other Pilot Mountain State Park
CAUTION: If you do not have a vehicle with above average clearance, you will have to cross the creek three times to get to the picnic parking area. If you do NOT want to do that, go past the Main entrance, to the Corridor Trail Parking Lot and walk in from there(.25 miles).
The main gate was locked, so I drove down to another parking area, the Corridor Parking lot. It was very easy to find, and well maintained. I found the trailhead and made my way into the park.
This is a bridal trail so you share space with people on Horseback. Use proper etiquette when passing Horses. After a short distance you will encounter the first water crossing. Find your way across the rocks and head down the road and you will see your second water crossing, large conveniently placed boulders help with the hop across. Once passed those, you will come to a THIRD crossing, you can either cross this, or take the Yadkin Island Trail aka “Shortcut to the river” on the right. I decided to cross and follow the road to the parking and picnic area. This is also where the Horne Creek Trail begins.
The Horne Creek Trail is 2.5 miles that tucks back behind the Historical Farm and follows the creek until in meets the Yadkin River. It is very well marked and suitable for people of all ages. I am happy to see so many information boards talking about the plants in the area, I truly felt like I learned something while walking through the woods. The trail follows the creek, winding and bending along with it. The sounds of the rushing water bring peace to my senses.
I took the detour trail up to the Farm, but it was closed so I could only see from outside its boundaries. I stopped to pay my respect to those who were buried there. I took time to see who they were, and when they lived.
I continued down the trail and along the river, taking in the sights and sounds all around me. Thinking about the residents on the Horne Creek farm, and their dependence on the river. The trail has been neglected a bit since COVID hit so be prepared to smack away brush from time to time until I came to the Yadkin River.
A two mile section of the Yadkin River pass through the park, linking the park to the 165-mile long Yadkin River Canoe Trail. Pilot Mountain offers 2 canoe-in sites. Two small islands, 45 and 15 acres in size, lie in the river. The islands may be reached by wading on foot or by canoe. I did not even think of attempting to wade the river.
After 2.5 miles, the Horne Creek connects with the Bean Shoals Trail, where you will find the Bean Shoals Canal Wall, part of an ambitious project undertaken between 1810 and 1825 to build a three-mile canal around Bean Shoals. The Bean Shoals Canal was a failed project that attempted to go around Bean Shoals. What started in 1810 as a plan, was finally conceded in 1825 as a failure. You can see parts of this along the Bean Shoals trail. It is truly amazing to see what humans can do. The amount of labor it must have took to bring those stones down and set them in place. The River was almost completely up to the walls that day. Learn more about the canal at here.
I took the Yadkin Island Trail back to the Corridor Parking Lot and called it a day. Success. Hiking and exploring the river section was a great alternative to when the mountain section is full, or weather has put a hold on previous planned activities. I cant wait to explore the Horne Creek Farm as well. It is nice to put things in perspective from time to time.
When you are leaving Jomeokee Campground, turn left on Perch Rd and follow it until Hauser Rd. Stay Right and follow that all the way to the park. Follow the signs to Horne Creek Living Historical Farm or directions on NC Parks website if coming from somewhere else.
Information pulled from the following sources.
http://www.northcarolinamuseum.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=160&Itemid=155
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/yadkin-river-access
https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/activities
