Sauratown Mountains facts for kids
The Sauratown Mountains are a special group of mountains in North Carolina, USA. People sometimes call them "the mountains away from the mountains." This is because they stand alone, separate from bigger mountain ranges. Most of these mountains are in Stokes County, but some are also in Surry County. Even though they cover only a small part of Stokes County, they are easy to see from almost anywhere in the area.
The Sauratown Mountains rise sharply, about 800 to 1,700 feet (244 to 518 meters) above the land around them. They got their name from the "Saura" people. This was a Native American tribe who spoke a language called Siouan. They lived here before European settlers arrived in the early 1700s. The mountains have rough, heavily forested ridges. You can often see large, shiny quartzite rock cliffs that stand out for miles. The Sauratown Mountains are also famous for having some of the best places to go rock climbing in North Carolina. The highest point in this range is Moore's Knob, which reaches 2,579 feet (786 meters) high.
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Exploring the Sauratown Mountains
The Sauratown Mountains are home to two amazing state parks. These parks offer lots of fun activities for visitors.
Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park was created in 1936. It includes Moore's Knob and other important peaks in the Sauratown Mountains. From 1935 to 1942, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps helped build the park. This group was part of a government program called the New Deal. They built a dam and a 12-acre (48,562 square meter) lake. They also made many hiking and climbing trails, plus areas for picnics and camping.
Pilot Mountain State Park
Another unique mountain in this range is Pilot Mountain. It has a very distinct shape that looks like a knob. Pilot Mountain State Park covers the western end of the Sauratown Mountains. This park protects the special natural features of Pilot Mountain.
Trails for Adventure
A long trail called the Sauratown Trail crosses through the mountains. This trail is great for both hiking and horseback riding. It connects the two state parks, making it easy to explore both. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a very long trail that crosses North Carolina, also follows the Sauratown Trail and goes through both parks. On a clear day, you can even see the Sauratown Mountains from downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and from the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Important Peaks in the Sauratown Mountains
The Sauratown Mountains have several interesting peaks. Each one has its own unique features.
| Peak Name | Elevation | Protected area | County | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Ridge | 1,361 feet (415 m) | Pilot Mountain State Park | Surry | The Corridor Trail gets close to the top, but doesn't go all the way. |
| Pilot Mountain | 2,421 feet (738 m) | Pilot Mountain State Park | Surry | The Saura people called this mountain Jomeokee. You can't go to the very top unless you are rock climbing. The highest point visitors can reach is the Little Pinnacle. |
| Black Mountain | 1,447 feet (441 m) | Privately owned | Surry | This small mountain is northeast of Pilot Mountain, near the county line. |
| Sauratown Mountain | 2,441 feet (744 m) | Privately owned | Stokes | This mountain is a major site for radio communication. Because of this, the public cannot visit Sauratown Mountain. |
| Brown Mountain | 1,550 feet (470 m) | Privately owned | Stokes | This mountain is north of Sauratown Mountain. |
| Ruben Mountain | 1,817 feet (554 m) | Hanging Rock State Park | Stokes | Ruben Mountain is between Sauratown Mountain and Hanging Rock. The Sauratown Loop Trail passes near its top. |
| Devils Chimney | 2,396 feet (730 m) | Hanging Rock State Park | Stokes | The Cook's Wall Trail ends near the top of this peak. |
| Cooks Wall Mountain | 2,346 feet (715 m) | Hanging Rock State Park | Stokes | The Cook's Wall Trail goes close to the top of this mountain. |
| Moore's Knob | 2,579 feet (786 m) | Hanging Rock State Park | Stokes | This is the highest point in the entire Sauratown Mountains range. The Moore's Wall Loop Trail, which is part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, leads to an old fire tower at the top. |
| Wolf Rock | 2,024 feet (617 m) | Hanging Rock State Park | Stokes | The Wolf Rock Loop Trail goes over this smaller peak. |
| Hanging Rock Mountain | 2,160 feet (660 m) | Hanging Rock State Park | Stokes | The Hanging Rock Trail gets very close to the top, but it does not go to the true summit. The trail ends at the top of the Hanging Rock, which is a bit lower than the highest point. |
| Flat Shoals Mountain | 1,660 feet (510 m) | Hanging Rock State Park | Stokes | There are no park trails on this mountain. |
