Day Hike at Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury, NC Carpool meeting place directions: Take the Concord Mills exit off I-85, going north, can't miss it. On Concord Mills Blvd. go left off the exit and take first left at first traffic signal. Make another left and you'll see a row of restaurants on your left. When you get to the 4th and 5th one make a right into the parking lot just before the road starts to curve around to the right and you should see me. Note: We will hike at a moderate pace, not a real fast pace. Zoe and Rick hiked at Hanging Rock State Park Friday August 15th. Tory's Falls was dry and Tory's Den we feel did not seem would be worth a 9 mile hike. It's just a cave.This trail really didn't have any scenic views to warrant a 9 mile hike. It took us 4 and 1/2 hours to hike this today, counting lunch and water breaks, from 12:15 to 4:45, almost 5:00. Keep in mind the drive to the park is 2 hours each way! So we have changed the trail we will hike to Moore's Wall Loop Trail, 4.3 miles: strenuous. We will hike up to Indian Face, Balanced Rock, Moore's Knob, and come to the intersection at the bottom, go left and if everyone isn't too tired, go on the Cook's Wall Trail to House Rock and Cook's Wall: this will add 4.0 miles to the hike for a total of 8.3 to 9 miles, or just head back to the parking lot on the remainder of the Moore's Wall Trail. The Visitor's Center said these trails had better scenic views. Bring plenty of water, lunch and possible light jackets or rain gear depending on the weather. Bring hiking poles, too. Also, sunscreen and insect repellant. Directions: Take I-85 north to Exit 87, get on 52 north and go to the Germanton/NC 8 exit.Take the Germanton/NC 8 exit, turn left, and follow NC 8 25 miles through Danbury. Two miles north of Danbury, turn left onto Hanging Rock Road/SR 2015. Go 2 miles to the park entrance at the end of Hanging Rock Road. Park in the lot at the end of Hanging Rock Road near the lake.