Pilot Rock Rock Climbing

The Pilot Rock Trail starts on FS 1206 (Yellow Gap Rd), 3 miles northeast of US Hwy 276. FS 1206 turns right off 276 just above the Pink Beds.  It is also a fairly short drive on Yellow Gap Road from The North Mills River campground. This approach is perhaps slightly shorter, particularly if you are coming from Asheville, avoiding nearly an extra hour looping around through Pisgah Forest.  From this direction you'll first encounter the pilot rock/slate rock and pilot rock loop trails, but avoid these and continue to the pilot rock trail, which is the direct approach described here.

Beware of speeding dirt bikes on the road.

Follow the Pilot Rock Trail for about 3/4 mile, crossing an old roadbed near the bottom. After the second switchback the Pilot Rock Base trail leads right (be careful of yellow jackets near the beginning of the trail). This trail winds across the top of the ravine and along the base of the slopes. It then descends a built staircase that may be scarier than any of the climbs.

The first route is on the face before the steps, and the second two at the bottom of the steps. The rest are farther on around a corner and down.