Registration is open!
All about the event
To raise funds to support Hanging Rock State Park, The Friends of Sauratown Mountains is sponsoring the third annual High 5 at Hanging Rock on Saturday April 2, 2022. Participants will trek over ten miles of park trails to reach five of the highest elevations within Hanging Rock State Park. They will summit Moore's Knob, Cooks Wall and Hanging Rock mountains and pass by two prominent rock outcrops, Wolf Rock and House Rock, along their journey. Due to the length, change in elevation and trail conditions, this will be a strenuous hike or run and will test everyone's physical abilities. There is also a 5-mile option that summits only Moore's Knob for those looking for less of a challenge.
If pandemic conditions dictate a change and a mass one-day event cannot be held or if participants do not want to gather in a mass, individuals can do the challenge anytime over the 7-day period April 2-9, 2022. Participants will complete the challenge on their own without support from the park or the friends group. For our event, we ask that you wear a mask when in groups outside of your household at registration and after the event. Practice social distancing when in the park, restrooms, parking lots, trails, etc. All our volunteers will be fully vaccinated for your safety.
All hikers/runners must register regardless of age. The 10-mile event is not recommended for children less than 10 years of age. The 5-mile option is suitable for younger participants with parental supervision.
LOCATION: The event will start and finish at the upper parking lot at Hanging Rock State Park (1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury, NC 27016). Once you enter the park gate, follow the road to the top (end). The start will be at shelter #4 in the upper lake parking lot (located on the far-right side of the parking lot closest to the lake). Please carpool, if possible, to ease parking issues. Parking is in the upper lot with overflow parking in the visitor center lot.
COST: Registration is $40 per-person. Online registration ends at 11 PM March 29th. Mail in registration must be received by March 29th. TO BE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT YOU MUST REGISTER BEFORE MIDNIGHT MARCH 23. We will have in-person registration at packet pick-up and the day of the event if the registration cap has not been met ($50).
REGISTRATION: Click on the link above to access online registration or mail in registration. The park opens at 7AM, we will start day of registration as soon after 7AM as we can get setup. We will start the event with runners off at 8:00AM. We will then start groups of hikers off every couple minutes to space out the participants.
SUPPORT: There will be two rest stops on the course with fluids and light snacks. There will be course marshals at all the peaks and on the course. There will be a sweep group hiking at the back to check on all the participants. The Forsyth Ham Radio group will be providing support and helping us track the participants again this year. This is a challenging course, so train and plan accordingly. Support will end at 3:30 PM. There will be food trucks at the start/finish area for a meal after the challenge. All participants will receive a $10 voucher for use at the food trucks. There will be an 8 mile training hike (partial course route, 4 of the peaks) on Saturday, March 26th (rain date March 27th). If you are interested in doing the training hike, use the "contact us" portal at the bottom of this page and we will send you logistics information on the hike.
SWAG: Participants will receive a bib, t-shirt, patch, $10 lunch food voucher, bandana, and a map.
DOGS: There are dog categories in this year's event. There is an additional $10 charge for a dog, and you will receive a bandana for your dog. Dogs will be permitted with hikers if the owner takes responsibility for the dog and keeps it on a leash that is no longer than 6 feet during the event. All dogs must have the proper vaccines (including rabies) to be in a public setting with other pets.
PACKET PICKUP: We will have packet pickup at the Hanging Rock General Store (3500 Moore's Springs Road, Westfield, NC 27053) at the following times: Wednesday 3/30 and Thursday 3/31 from 4-6PM. Packet pickup will also be held Friday 4/1 at shelter #4 at Hanging Rock State Park (start location in lake parking lot) from 4:30-7PM.
2022 SWAG
About Us
Friends of Sauratown Mountains has been supporting Hanging Rock & Pilot Mountain State Parks since 2010. We are the state designated 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides both financial and volunteer support to our two state parks. We help build & maintain trails, volunteer in the visitor centers, participate in the adopt a highway program, lead hikes, and advocate at local and state levels for our two great State Parks. We also partner with other organizations and businesses that are committed to outdoor recreation and environmental education. Our mission is to preserve and protect the Sauratown Mountains for future generations. We currently have 240 members: Join us and be a part of helping preserve our beautiful mountain range!
PO Box 353 Danbury NC 27016
Find us on Facebook www.sauratownfriends.org