On the southwestern facet of Catawba County, in Hickory, North Carolina, a conspicuous characteristic rises above the horizon: a distinguished mountain standing guard over the realm, marking the county’s highest level and providing an ideal spot for recreation.
At 1,780 ft above sea degree, Bakers Mountain has been a widely known Catawba County vacation spot for hundreds of years. Named after the Baker household who settled in its shadow within the late 1700s, the mountain has served as a hideout for the Tories in the course of the American Revolutionary Warfare, a website for household picnics, church outings and spiritual pilgrimages, a playground for native children, and a retreat for its guests.
Within the early 1900s, space picnickers and native church teams would collect on the non-public land of Calvin Baker on the base of the mountain. Of word was the First Baptist Sunday College annual picnic, an all-day occasion held every July attracting a turnout of over 200. With the mountain towering above the attractive property adorned with unique lily ponds, the spot was an idyllic setting. A trek up Bakers Mountain for the awe-inspiring view was a customary journey at these historic occasions.
In 2005, the mountainside was reworked into Bakers Mountain Park: a 189-acre hiker’s haven operated as a part of the Catawba County Park System. The park’s almost six miles of trails nonetheless comprise clues to its historical past, with remnants of turn-of-the-century residence websites that may be noticed alongside the best way.
Space resident Tom Abernathy has been coming to Bakers Mountain since he was an adolescent. “We used to trip our bikes up from Mountain Grove Church and coast again down, and we simply cherished coming right here,” Abernathy stated. “Individuals would hike up at evening for the attractive view. Native church buildings would maintain Easter dawn service on the jap slope of the mountain, main a procession up the lengthy 17-curve street which they’ve since straightened out.”
At present, park guests can hike to the highest of the mountain and soak up expansive views of Hickory and the Catawba Valley from the park’s statement platform. On a transparent day, one may even see so far as Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell. The view from the platform is particularly widespread in autumn due to the gorgeous fall colours that cascade throughout the valley’s foothills.
The number of habitats and wildlife at Bakers Mountain present a singular alternative to expertise the pure fantastic thing about the Western North Carolina foothills. Uncommon crops and a combined hardwood forest comprised primarily of Chestnut Oak and Mountain Laurel make the park a refreshingly completely different recreation alternative than will be discovered at decrease elevations, in addition to an excellent place for nature images.
The path system’s steep climbs, which rise 640 ft from base to high, make Bakers Mountain Park a favourite coaching spot for path runners, health fans, and hikers aiming to sort out the Appalachian Path. The park additionally includes a gently sloping, paved quarter-mile ADA accessible path with a Story Stroll characteristic for youths. The park’s gently flowing stream, pure boulder outcroppings, clearings, picnic tables, and loads of trailside benches present loads of methods to discover the mountain.
At 85 years younger, Tom Abernathy nonetheless visits the mountain six days every week. “I’ve in all probability been up right here greater than anyone. I do get pleasure from coming; it’s only a stunning place and there’s a lot to see.”
Bakers Mountain Park, positioned at 6680 Bakers Mountain Rd. in Hickory, is at the moment open seven days every week from 8am – 5pm (hours differ seasonally). It’s considered one of 4 parks within the Catawba County Park System, which additionally consists of Mountain Creek Park in Sherrills Ford, Riverbend Park in Conover and St. Stephens Park in Hickory. For extra details about Bakers Mountain Park and the Catawba County Park System, go to www.catawbacountyparks.org or comply with Catawba County Parks on Fb and Instagram.
