Gaston County High Point Trip Report

The Pinnacle, Kings Mountain (1690 ft)

Date: July 2, 1999
Author: Edward Earl

From exit 8 on I-85 near Gastonia, I took NC-161 1/3 mile S to where Lake Montonia Rd branches off to the left. I continued 1 more mile to where a side road on the right presumes the name "Lake Montonia Rd" and the main road changes its name to Sparrow Springs Rd. The main road has frequent "No Parking" signs, so I parked on the side road.

On the main road immediately S of and on the side opposite the side road is an inconspicuous gate where a trail begins. The trail parallels the main road for a very short distance and then turns uphill into the forest. After 1 mile and 700' elevation gain, the trail reaches the summit amid intermittent boulders.

I could not find any bench mark on the summit, but there is a concrete slab with a metal pole standing up in it. The entire ascent took me a mere 25 minutes. At a trail junction just below the summit a sign pointing down the branch I didn't use says "Park Office". A fellow I met on the trail who frequents this area says it is possible to climb the mountain via this trail from a different starting point to the south. Either way, Kings Mountain is a very nice short hike and I highly recommend it to anyone whether county HPing or not.