Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
go to the home page of the two RV Gypsies
table of content list
learn about The Two RV Gypsies email the Two RV Gypsies sign the Two RV Gypsies Guestbook
The two RV Gypsies in Alaska
The Two RV Gypsies Adventures in Canada
Countries the Two RV Gypsies have visited Cruises USA trips by year
learn about Brian Duquette's life and tragedy Flashbacks to earlier years Links to other travel websites campground directory travel videos

The two RV Gypsies and family
hiked at Crowders Mountain in NC
December 23, 2018

Crowders Mountain is one of two main peaks within Crowders Mountain State Park, the other peak being The Pinnacle. The park is located in the western Piedmont of North Carolina between the cities of King's Mountain and Gastonia or about 25 miles west of Charlotte. Crowders Mountain abruptly rises nearly 800 feet above the surrounding terrain, and has an elevation of 1,625 feet above sea level.

history bookAlthough stated as true on some sites, the mountain was not named after Ulrich Crowder [Krauter], a German merchant and farmer. In 1789, Ulrich purchased land much farther north of the mountain before moving west. The mountain is named for Crowders Creek, which originates near the base of the mountain. The original namesake of Crowders Creek is unknown, but mostly likely lived farther south along Crowders Creek. Crowders Mountain and The Pinnacle, located to the southwest, once served as markers to separate the hunting grounds of the Catawba and Cherokee Indians.

In the early 1970s a mining company began doing exploratory sampling of areas along what is now the Backside Trail with the intent of purchasing the minerals rights to excavate the mountain for kyanite, barite, and iron. This led local concerned citizens, educational institutions, and local governments to join together and convince state government pursue the creation of a state park in order to protect the area.

In 1973 the State of North Carolina created Crowders Mountain State Park. It opened to the public in 1974. Crowders Mountain proper was added to the new park in 1978. The Pinnacle was added in 1987. In the year 2000, 2000+ acres were purchased. This purchase brought the entire ridge line of Kings Mountain into the park and took park boundaries to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. Both monadnocks present sheer rock cliffs which are 100–150 feet in height. The cliffs of Crowders Mountain are popular among rock climbers. Rock climbing is no longer permitted on The Pinnacle. Hiking trails lead to both summits, from which it is possible to view the skyscrapers of nearby Charlotte, North Carolina, on a clear day.

sign: Welcome North Carolina State Park regulations
sign: Crowders Mountain State Park parking lot at Crowders Mountain
informative sign about the Fern Trail Fern Trailhead map
sign: King's Pinnacle the two RV Gypsies at Crowders Mountain
stream at Crowders Mountain stream at Crowders Mountain
stream at Crowders Mountain stream at Crowders Mountain
the son-in-law of the two RV Gypsies small lake at Crowders Mountain
water at Crowders Mountain the lake at Crowders Mountain
the lake at Crowders Mountain the lake at Crowders Mountain
the lake at Crowders Mountain the lake at Crowders Mountain
the son-in-law of the two RV Gypsies the son-in-law of the two RV Gypsies
Crowders Mountain the lake at Crowders Mountain
the lake at Crowders Mountain the two RV Gypsies at Crowders Mountain
Karen Duquette has a photographer's eye for photos Karen Duquette at Crowders Mountain hike
the lake at Crowders Mountain Lee Duquette and his son-in-law
evidence of a beaver extremely small waterfall
the two RV Gypsies the two RV Gypsies and family

Below: The two RV Gypsies played in the sand display that was located inside the Visitor Center. It may not look like sand in the photos, but it was.

sand display sand display

look below

go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies Christmas 2018 with family

OR

go back button Return to the Carolina's 2018 menu to view sites in the order of your choice.

OR

Go to the navigational buttons at the top of this page for travels in other years