Crowders Mountain State Park

Programs for April 2008
All Programs typically last one to one and a half hours and are appropriate for children unless otherwise stated.
Auxiliary aids require a seven day advanced notice.


Volunteer Trail Work Day Saturday, April 12 - 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
The Kings Mountain Ridgeline Trail, the trail that will eventually connect Crowders Mountain and Kings Mountain state parks, is under construction. This trail is being built largely with help from volunteers. If you are interested in helping out with this project, then call the park office at 704-853-5375 and leave your name and e-mail address. Work groups will meet and depart from the visitor center. Wear work clothes and good hiking boots/shoes. Bring your own gloves, water and snacks.

Friends of Crowders Mountain, Inc. Meeting
 and Schiele Butterfly Presentation Tuesday, April 15 - 6:30 PM
Join entomologist Duane Flynn as he shares his expertise on butterflies with the Friends of Crowders Mountain, a group dedicated to preserving and improving the park. Long-time supporters of the park will be on-hand to answer questions about park history and upcoming events as well. Meet in the visitor center auditorium.

Operation: Clean a Crag Saturday, April 19 - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Calling all experienced rock climbers and hikers! In the observance of Earth Day, we will be cleaning up the peaks of Crowders Mountain and Kings Pinnacle, a technical and challenging exercise due to the strenuous trails and steep cliffs. Meet at the visitor center. The program will be cancelled if it's raining.
Note: If children or adults are interested participating in a less strenuous and dangerous Earth Day activity, gloves and trash bags will be available at the visitor center and the Linwood Access Area office for general trash collection around the lake, picnic areas, and trails. 

Spring Wildflower Hike Sunday, April 20 - 2:00 PM
There is no better way to enjoy the warm spring weather. Join a ranger on a wildflower hike at Crowders Mountain. We will hike off the beaten path into areas containing a variety of beautiful spring wildflowers. Come prepared for a moderate hike, and bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a good set of hiking boots. Meet at the visitor center. The program will be cancelled if it's raining.

NC Catch Fishing Clinic Saturday, April 26 - 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Class size limits 5-15 children, call park office (704) 853-5375 to sign up.
Age limit 6-15, must be accompanied by an adult. Bring tackle if you have it; if not, tackle will be provided.
If you want to learn some of the basics of angling, this would be a good place to start. Spend an hour of the afternoon learning about tackle, bait, knots, safety, etc. This will be followed by an hour of fishing at the park lake for bass and bream. Meet at the visitor center classroom. Program will be cancelled if it's raining.

Late Afternoon Spring Hike Sunday, April 27 - 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Join a ranger on an interpretive hike as we seek wildflowers, birds, animals and whatever we happen upon. We will venture off the beaten path to seldom seen wildflower bottoms and other natural wonders Crowders Mountain State Park has to offer. The hike will be moderate and approximately two to three miles long. Please bring appropriate footwear, water, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Don't forget your binoculars and cameras! Please meet inside the lobby at the visitor center. The program will be cancelled if it's raining.

Programs for May 2008
All Programs typically last one to one and a half hours and are appropriate for children unless otherwise stated.
Auxiliary aids require a seven day advanced notice.

Sunset on the Pinnacle Saturday, May 3 - 8:00 to 8:30 PM
Here is a great opportunity to see the sunset from the top of the Pinnacle Overlook without getting in trouble with a ranger. Sunset is at 8:13 PM. A ranger will be waiting at the top of the overlook at 8:00 PM and will lead the hike back down at 8:30 PM. Please bring appropriate footwear, insect repellant, and a good flashlight. The 1.7 mile hike to the top of the Pinnacle is rated strenuous, so allow plenty of time to arrive at the overlook by 8:00 PM. The program will be cancelled if it is raining.

International Migratory Bird Day Saturday, May 10 - 1:00 to 2:30 PM
International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is celebrated annually in North America to focus attention on bird conservation. IMBD explores bird migration in the Western Hemisphere, the habitats on which birds depend, and the people who are important to habitat conservation. This program will include a presentation followed by a short hike to look and listen for birds. Meet in the visitor center auditorium. 

Volunteer Trail Work Day Saturday, May 17 - 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
The Kings Mountain Ridgeline Trail, the trail that will eventually connect Crowders Mountain and Kings Mountain state parks, is under construction. This trail is being built largely with help from volunteers. If you are interested in helping out with this project, then call the park office at 704-853-5375 and leave your name and e-mail address. Work groups will meet and depart from the visitor center. Wear work clothes and good hiking boots/shoes. Bring your own gloves, water and snacks.

NC Catch Fishing Clinic Saturday, May 24 - 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Class size limits 5-15 children, call park office (704) 853-5375 to sign up.
Age limit 6-15, must be accompanied by an adult. 
Bring tackle if you have it; if not, tackle will be provided.
If you want to learn some of the basics of angling, this would be a good place to start. Spend an hour of the afternoon learning about tackle, bait, knots, safety, etc. This will be followed by an hour of fishing at the park lake for bass and bream. Meet at the visitor center classroom. The program will be cancelled if it is raining.

Late Afternoon Spring Walk Sunday, May 25 - 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Join a ranger on an interpretive hike as we seek wildflowers, birds, animals and whatever we happen upon. We will venture off the beaten path to seldom seen wildflower bottoms and other natural wonders that the park has to offer. The hike will be moderate and approximately two to three miles long. Please bring appropriate footwear, water, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Don't forget your binoculars and cameras! Meet inside the lobby at the visitor center. The program will be cancelled if it's raining.

Beaver Basics Saturday, May 31 - 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Beavers are mammals that have very interesting characteristics, such as webbed feet, nostrils that close, and flat tails, all of which allow them to live in the water. Join a ranger for a short talk at the lake with a stop at our park's beaver lodge. Meet at the lake's fishing pier. The program will be cancelled if it's raining.

Our permanent exhibits are here!!!!

 After six years and a lot of work on the part of park staff and volunteers, the permanent exhibits have been installed in the Exhibit Hall of the Visitors Center. These exhibits provide information on four natural communities, plants and animals common to these communities, and approximate elevations within the park where the community occurs. There is an area that focuses on neo-tropical migrants, complete with their calls, that nest in Crowders Mountain State Park during the summer. Another area focuses on the natural resource management efforts of park staff and what visitors can do to both enjoy and help protect park. A final area in the exhibit hall and areas in adjacent hallways focus on local cultural history of this area and the history of how Crowders Mountain State Park was established. There’s plenty to learn and hopefully everyone will discover something different each time they visit.


Friends Group Makes Donations!

 If not for the efforts of a small group of Gaston County citizens in the early 1970's everything we know as, "Crowders Mountain State Park," would not exist for your enjoyment today! This group known as, "The Gaston Conservation Society," worked very hard to get your park created and thus saved from a proposed mining operation. Although The Gaston Conservation Society no longer exists there is a group helping your park today! The "Friends of Crowders Mountain State Park" is a support group of concerned citizens working together to assist your park reach its many goals. As a non-profit organization the Friends group can raise money for the park, and provides community support. These efforts help the park reach its primary mandates of public education, promoting stewardship of natural resources, and providing the public with recreational opportunities. Most recently the Friends group has purchased a digital camera for the park. This camera has already been very helpful in getting last minute images for our upcoming permanent Museum exhibits. There is a new handicap assessable bridge on the Lake Trail, the materials purchased by the Friends group. They also purchased a cabinet for the interactive computer in the Visitor Center lobby and some materials for the Backyard Pond. Recently nine members came for a day of volunteer work helping clear ice storm damage from the Lake Trail. The list goes on and more exciting projects are planned in the future. If you are looking for a way to get involved with the park you love please consider joining the Friends group. Brochures are available in the Visitor Center lobby or see their web site: www.friendsofcrowdersmountain.org.

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