Scenic Drives
Uwharrie Scenic Road - Piedmont Scenic Drives
From the intersection of U.S. 64/N.C. 49 in Asheboro, follow N.C. 49 through the geologic area known as the “Carolina Slate Belt” southwest toward Concord. Many buildings and fences seen throughout these rolling hills were constructed from this metamorphic rock.
Travel through the Uwharrie National Forest and view the Uwharrie Mountains, formed several hundred million years ago by volcanoes. Crops such as corn and winter wheat can be found along the way.
Pass over Tuckertown Lake, built by Carolina Aluminum Company for hydroelectricity and recreation in 1917. It also is known as Narrows Reservoir because it is formed by a narrow pass (now under the lake’s waters) between the Uwharrie Mountains at the Narrows of the Yadkin. The Pee Dee Valley Drive byway begins nearby at the southern point of Badin Lake in the community of Badin.
The Uwharrie Mountains are isolated peaks that survived erosion and weathering over the centuries. The origin of the name “Uwharrie” is believed to be a Native-American term possibly meaning rocky soil. The Uwharrie National Forest was purchased by the federal government in 1934 and designated as a national forest in 1961. It now covers more than 200,000 acres in three counties. The Uwharrie River flows into the Yadkin near Morrow Mountain State Park, to form the Pee Dee River.
Motorists might be interested in making a side trip to Reed Gold Mine (pictured above), site of the first authenticated discovery of gold in the United States. Gold was found on the Reed family farm in 1799. This find helped North Carolina lead the country in gold production until the California gold rush in 1848. The Gold Mine is located about eight miles south of Mt. Pleasant.
To get there from N.C. 49 follow S.R. 1006 (Mt. Pleasant Rd.) South from N.C. 49. Turn left onto N.C. 200 and one mile later turn right onto S.R. 1100 (Reed Mine Rd.).
Another possible side trip would be to Denton Farm Park in Davidson County. The park is home to an impressive collection of restored buildings, including country stores, a church, post office and grist mill, and home to the annual Thrashers Convention. To get from N.C. 49 turn on S.R. 2521 (Cranford Rd.) North. Denton Farm Park is 0.7 miles on the left.
Six miles past Mt. Pleasant, notice the old buffalo ranch to the right, it may be raising ostriches or llamas. A few miles further look for large outcroppings of slate and shale on either side of the road past the Stonewall Jackson School in Concord on Old Charlotte Road (S.R. 1157). This intersection marks the end of the route.
Continue the tour by driving into Concord or follow N.C. 49 for 20 miles into Charlotte, “The Queen City.”
Length: 50 miles
Driving Time: 1 hours
Counties: Randolph, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly, Cabarrus
courtesy of NC Department of Transportation
added: September 15, 2009
updated: September 25, 2009
This Page:
http://www.visitnc.com/journeys/articles/scenic-drives/2/uwharrie-scenic-road-piedmont-scenic-drives
