By T. Butler
The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) will host its First Saturday Outing on Nov. 7 with a 4.5-mile hike on the Cook’s Wall Trail in Hanging Rock State Park in Danbury and Westfield, N.C.
Participants will meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot at the Lake Bathhouse, 2847 Hanging Rock Park Road.
Coordinator for the outing is Dr. Will Truslow, an avid hiker and DRBA board member.
“This is a moderate hike that climbs about 400 feet but has great rewards. There are two grand viewing areas seeing south and east. Cook’s Wall is an area where vultures are frequently observed. If the atmosphere is clear, distant parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains can be seen,” Truslow said.
The state park’s website also describes this fascinating hike: “The trail’s surface is gravel, dirt, and rock, and it has some uneven steps.”
From the lake parking lot, the trail quickly ascends to the ridge connecting Hanging Rock and Cook’s Wall, then gradually wraps around the mountain, offering many views from cliffs. Sweeping vistas of the south and west offer views of Sauratown and Pilot Mountain in the distance.
House Rock, a feature located about halfway along this trail, is named for a “house-like” portion of the formation, which is a rock shelter overhang cavity that resembles a “living room.”
All participants are asked to dress in layers of synthetic fabric, wear hiking boots, be prepared for rain, bring hiking stick(s), lunch or snacks, and water, and sign a waiver.
For safety and to comply with state guidelines:
(1) Wear a facemask that covers your nose and mouth.
(2) Social distancing will be observed throughout the hike.
For more information, call Truslow at 336-547-1903 or email willtruslow@hotmail.com
Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.danriver.org.
