On July 10, 2002, about 2233, eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N737CQ, registered to Two Beagles Inc., and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while attempting to take off at Pickens County Airport, Pickens, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received no injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he had rented a Cessna 172 since his airplane was inoperable. He said that when he got into the accident airplane it was dark and he did not see the gust lock. Additionally, he said that his airplane does not have a gust lock so he was not in the habit of using one. He said that during the takeoff roll, as he attempted to pull aft on the control yoke at the rotation point, he noticed that the gust lock was still installed. He said he then tried to abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued along its path and ran down a slope, coming to rest at the trees located about 50 yards beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane incurred damage to the firewall, the fuselage and the wings.