I visited Pilot Mountain State Park for the first time last June. I really liked it,and wanted to see if the visitor's center had been completed.

I drove to Mt. Airy,NC for a brief stop, then down to the State Park.

Now, visitors are restricted from driving to the summit parking area during specific times. I think from opening to 10 am is restricted to bicycles and hikers. Then from that time, visitors can either hike to the top or take the 16 passenger shuttle bus @ $5 round trip ticket.

Now instead of visitors staying apart, seeing the summit at their own pace, they have to pay to ride the shuttle or hike up in order to see the top @Pilot Mountain.

I think that area Mt.Airy,Pinnacle, and Pilot Mountain is very beautiful.

I am glad I went last year. Any SigForum members near Pilot Mountain?

Did you get to the Snappy Lunch in Mt. Airy?

I live in the High Point area and on a clear day from some some spots, Pilot Mountain is visible. It's only a short drive but I've never made time to visit there other than in Mt Airy a few times. I think I read that Mt Airy is having their Mayberry festival this year as always beginning Sept 21

The last few times I went it’s been a cluster. One time when we had lots of friends visiting from out of state we didn’t even get to go up to the top. There were so many people there that day they closed it down by the time we got there.

Lots of cars and traffic going up the mountain the last time we managed to get up there. I haven’t been this year. Sounds like it’s even more of a cluster now than it was before.

I used to live up that way, for a short time, doin' some this'n'that for the Man.

Hang on, y'all!

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Did you get to the Snappy Lunch in Mt. Airy?

LOL....On my first visit to Downtown Mt. Airy, I got the famed "pork chop sandwich".

No luck yesterday, it was closed when I got to Mt.Airy.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
The last few times I went it’s been a cluster. One time when we had lots of friends visiting from out of state we didn’t even get to go up to the top. There were so many people there that day they closed it down by the time we got there.

Lots of cars and traffic going up the mountain the last time we managed to get up there. I haven’t been this year. Sounds like it’s even more of a cluster now than it was before.

I'm not a Covid19 doomsayer, but putting 16 people from all walks of life into a shuttle bus , even wearing masks , disinfecting the seats, can't be viewed as promoting distancing.

I did go to the top, but the shuttle timetables forces you to rush your exploring. I'm not sure what time the shuttle stops running, but if it stops at 6pm when they let traffic in, you've got a 2 mile walk to the parking area if you miss the last shuttle.

Tons of folks downtown Mt. Airy yesterday. Regardless of the Mayberry connection, it's a neat small town I like very much. I'm a 2-hr drive away.

Winston-Salem , visible in the distance.

That’s ridiculous.

I grew up in the area, visiting frequently. Still up that way a bit. Para, if you ever went to the gun shop/range in Mt Airy, that was my cousin’s.

Last few times I was up that way the park was packed. Same thing with Stone Mountain (NC) about 30 miles from Pilot Mtn. A lot of dang people.

But what a PITA. Stupid.

Just my opinion but shuttle buses at parks turn me off.

I’m not a fan of “public type transportation”.

quote:

Originally posted by Vanwall:
Just my opinion but shuttle buses at parks turn me off.

I’m not a fan of “public type transportation”.

I was curious yesterday, is this a form of lost income for the park ?

Whats Al Pacino doing working at Snappys? Regards 18DAI