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Enjoy two miles through the forest, along a ridge, finishing at the top of The Pinnacle.


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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.4

KM

85%

Runnable

1,608' 490 m

High

886' 270 m

Low

764' 233 m

Up

42' 13 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Views

Runner Notes

Watch your step on the off-camber sections. Some rocks along the ridge are loose. The Ridgeline Trail will add length to your run. Pick up a map at the Visitors Center.

Description

From the visitors center this trail provides and easy trail up to the ridge, but gains steepness as you approach the summit. It's a good trail for keeping in shape during the winter months. There are also backpacking sites along the lower section, so if you need to get your backcountry fix without a long trip in, this is the place.

Begin to the left of the Visitors Center at the Sparrow Springs Access area. The way is level for a few hundred yards, then turn left at the sign. You begin to climb easily through the woods, then the trail turns left and you soon get to the rocky ridge that defines this area.

Make your way over several rocky sections and then drop slightly to a saddle. here you find the Turnback Trail, where you can, as the name suggests, turn back, or you can stay the course and continue. The trail ascends along the side of the hill from this point and is often off-camber. There is one switchback and then the trail begins to get steep.

At the sign for the Ridgeline Trail, turn right and watch your step as you climb the steepest and most eroded part. Soon enough you'll reach the rocks and the end of the official trail. The GPS track for this trail will lead you to the left and around the rocks to the area with the best view.

The warning signs don't lie: people have died here, and recently. Please keep young ones close and stay back from the ledges.

The official site, with maps, is here.

Enjoy!

Contacts

Shared By:

Nathan Sprinkle

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 7 votes

#10222

Overall
  4.1 from 7 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
29%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#376

in North Carolina

#10,222

Overall
4 Views Last Month
1,287 Since Feb 12, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

The sign located at the T-intersection from the visitor center.
Oct 5, 2020 near Kings M…, NC
Perfect summit spot for trail mix
Sep 25, 2016 near Kings M…, NC
Heading to the Parking Lot... Great day!
Jul 9, 2018 near Kings M…, NC
View of the meadow.
Aug 31, 2018 near Kings M…, NC
Another view of the Pinnacle
Jul 9, 2018 near Kings M…, NC
The view from the Pinnacle
Jul 9, 2018 near Kings M…, NC

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Aug 26, 2017
Nate Clark
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