Route: Stone Mountain - Grandfather Mountain (NC)

"Stone Father" FKT Route:  Stone Mountain - Grandfather Mountain on the Mountains to Sea Trail

The route known as “Stone Father” links together two of the most iconic mountains in northwestern North Carolina’s Blue Ridge.  The route begins at the bathhouse of the upper lot at Stone Mountain, North Carolina (2,306 ft). Stone Mountain is a large granite dome and home to a state park.  It then follows the Mountains to Sea Trail on a single track trail along the top of the Blue Ridge escarpment near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The terminus of this route ends at the bathhouse of profile trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park.  Grandfather Mountain can be seen from almost every long range view in our region.  Calloway Peak (5,964 ft), on Grandfather Mountain, is the high point of this route.  Grandfather Mountain gets its name from the side view which looks like a bearded man laying down.  This route follows a mostly single track trail system. 

This route links two significant geologic points, two state parks, and is located on well established trails that can be repeated.  It is the intention that this route can be a sister route to the famous “Pitchell” FKT that runs from Mount Pisgah to Mount Mitchell. Logistically this route works better as supported because it crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway so many times.  This route is 100 miles which could make it slightly more difficult than “Pitchell” which is 67 miles.  

https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/3d182397-bf85-4a01-8de0-ea71cb1e1e13/?layer=GaiaTopoRasterFeet