SAURATOWN RIDGE

The Sauratown Mountains are an isolated mountain range located within Stokes and Surry counties in the State of North Carolina. Although the range occupies only 5% of the county’s area, they dominate the county’s scenery from almost every direction, rising sharply 800 to 1,700 feet (244 to 518 meters) above the surrounding terrain.

The Sauratown Mountains were named after the “Sauras”, a Native American tribe which lived in the county before European settlers arrived in the early 1700s. The range consists of rugged, heavily forested ridges frequently broken by large quartzite rock cliffs which can be seen for miles. The Sauratown Mountains are known for offering some of the best rock climbing in North Carolina. The highest point in the Sauratown Mountains is Moore’s Knob, which rises to 2,579 feet (786 m). The range is home to Hanging Rock State Park, which was formed in 1936 and contains Moore’s Knob and other prominent peaks in the Sauratown Mountains. Uniquely shaped Pilot Mountain is also located in the range. From 1935 to 1942 the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal agency, built a dam and 12-acre (49,000 m2) lake in the park, as well as hiking and climbing trails and picnic and campground areas.

Sauratown Ridge is located about 20 miles north of Winston-Salem, North Carolina by Hanging Rock State Park, and it has excellent views of both Pilot and Sauratown Mountain. Sauratown Mountain (2,441 feet) is a radio and television transmitting facility with two 700′ towers, but the private property has been closed to public access in recent years due to liability issues. A gated and private road prevents access to the summit.