This Land, Your Land

Pilot Mountain State Park has closed indefinitely because of a large number of trees that have fallen on park roads and trails during recent snow and ice, the state Division of Parks and Recreation has announced.

The park will remain closed to all use, including hiking, until the roadways and trails can be cleared of ice and fallen trees, the state says. Notice of the park's reopening will be placed on the Pilot Mountain State Park page and on the state parks alert page, which over the past several weeks has carried notice of several state park and recreation area closings due to inclement weather.

Pilot Mountain, in Pinnacle north of Winston-Salem, features its namesake peak, which was named a National Natural Landmark in 1976, and is popular for hiking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, rock climbing and rappelling.

Pilot Mountain closed February 5, when Surry County was hit by a winter storm that brought snow as well as freezing rain, the Mount Airy News said Sunday. "After the snow and ice, high winds arrived Wednesday and blew down trees across the area, causing damage at the park as well. (Ranger Keith) Martin said roads there were blocked by trees, broken branches and limbs, mostly from pines as well as birches."

A five-member state park fire crew from the Raleigh area was assisting Pilot Mountain’s six permanent staff members and some volunteers with clean-up work, the Mount Airy paper said.