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An enjoyable trail that runs alongside the South Fork River.


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Map Key

4.2

Miles

6.8

KM

100%

Runnable

613' 187 m

High

592' 180 m

Low

65' 20 m

Up

65' 20 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (0°)

4%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Swimming · Views

Overview

The South Fork River trail is a 2 mile natural surface trail adjacent to the South Fork of the Catawba River and suitable for hiking and mountain biking. This run is an out-and-back, totaling 4.2 miles round trip.

Need to Know

Special Note: While the trail is relatively flat, there are a number of areas that have the potential for flooding during heavy rainfall. Hikers, mountain bikers, and runners should take caution on this trail after heavy rainfalls.

Runner Notes

Beware of roots and rocks.

Description

Heading north from the trailhead, the trail sneaks under the I-85 bridge and quickly meanders through a quiet section of woods along the river. The trail is marked at the 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mile points, ending near the cul-de-sac of a residential neighborhood. While no parking is available at this end of the trail, there is pedestrian access for neighborhood residents. The land surrounding this trail is on the Pharr Yarns Preserve, a 94.8-acre preserve protected through the Catawba lands Conservancy.

A mile into the trail is Cable Point. A lookout area dedicated to Dave Cable, a former Catawba Lands Conservancy Executive Director and visionary, for his years of service to our region.

Parking is available at 119 Willow Drive, McAdenville, NC 28101 (Google Maps says Gastonia).

History & Background

This is a historic trail that was originally used by the Native Americans and then utilized by settlers for textile mills. There were two mills in the woods along the trail. One was the Ferguson Mill and the other one was nicknamed Pinhook. Opened in August 1852, the Pinhook Mill was the second mill to operate along the South Fork River. According to Gaston County historian Robert Ragan, the mill received its name because mill workers' would use bent textile pins to fish for lunch outside the building's windows.

During the Civil War, a small detachment of Union soldiers were sent to burn down Pinhook Mill, which was producing cloth for the Confederacy. Upon hearing the soldiers coming, mill superintendent William Sahms ran out to meet the Union troop, only to find them led by his Pennsylvanian childhood neighbor. Sahms convinced the soldiers to spare the mill and the soldiers burnt the bridge instead. The stone pillars of the bridge are still in the river.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris Bernick with improvements by Carolina Thread Trail

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 7 votes

#1

in McAdenville

#3327

Overall
  4.1 from 7 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in McAdenville

#140

in North Carolina

#3,327

Overall
6 Views Last Month
970 Since Jan 1, 2018
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

50%
17%
33%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Carolina Thread Trail assurance marker along South Fork Trail
Jun 18, 2019 near Lowell, NC
South Fork Trail
Nov 11, 2019 near Lowell, NC
South Fork Trail
Nov 11, 2019 near Lowell, NC
South Fork Trail
Nov 11, 2019 near Lowell, NC
Small bridge along South Fork Trail
Jun 18, 2019 near Lowell, NC

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