Pilot Knob Trail Hike with Ken Bridle (registration is full)

Join us on Thursday, May 11 at Pilot Mountain State Park for a Pilot Knob Trail Hike with Ken Bridle. This hike is a follow-up to Ken’s January presentation on The Ecology of the Sauratown Mountains.  A recording of this presentation is available here.

We will meet at 10:00 AM in the parking lot at the far end of the Pilot Mountain State Park Visitor Center and begin the hike from there. Restroom facilities are available.

Pilot Knob Trail is a 0.8-mile roundtrip trail around the base of the Big Pinnacle and is moderate in ability level. This trail starts at the upper side of the summit parking area. The trail crosses the gap to the Big Pinnacle, then makes a loop around the base, and merges into the same trail to return across the gap.

There are rare and interesting plants along this trail, as well as the tall, impressive cliff.

Climbing on the Big Pinnacle is prohibited. This trail has a natural surface with rock steps, gravel, roots, and boulders.  Please stay on the marked trail and wear sturdy hiking shoes!

This walk is free and open to Members only and limited to 20 participants. For family memberships, please register each member separately.

Register Now

Meet our Hike Leader: Ken Bridle

Ken Bridle has been a professional scientist for over 40 years. Trained as a botanist with emphasis on plant physiology and natural product chemistry (Ph.D.), these interests have been applied to a variety of projects. He has worked as a natural heritage and watershed inventory biologist, field ecologist, science museum exhibits director, and environmental consultant. He has been active with Piedmont Land Conservancy for over 30 years as a member, volunteer, consultant, board member and staff member. He is currently Conservation Advisor for the Piedmont Land Conservancy, responsible for special projects. He is also the current president of the North Carolina Native Plant Society, is a frequent leader of hikes and nature walks.