Taking a break from around the world adventures, and bringing out an entry from a little closer to home. Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, is located about 25 miles northwest of Winston Salem, NC.
Pilot Mountain, with an elevation of 2,420 feet, is a remnant of the Sauratown Mountains, and after millions of years of weathering and erosion, now is a quartzite monadnock. The Saura Indians first called Pilot Mountain "Jomeokee," or "Great Guide/Pilot;" hence its name today.
Interestingly, the mountain was first mapped in 1751 by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson, who was Thomas Jefferson's father. It became a North Carolina State Park in 1968 to protect it from further commercial development. Currently, the park contains over 3,000 acres of protected land.
For residents of central North Carolina, the park is a very close sanctuary, to rest, relax, and hike to your heart's content. It has various trails (about 13), and of course, anybody who goes to Pilot Mountain should do the 0.8-mile hike (Jomeokee Trail) around the quartzite monadnock to truly understand the weather and erosion that this feature was and still continues to endure. My favorite trail is the Ledge Springs Trail (~2.o miles - strenuous...and they're not kidding :) ). It has such amazing views, and the most amazing set of stairs at the end!
Source: http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/pimo/history.php
