easy  moderate  normal   hard  difficult

PhyEffort              x               

NavSkill        x          

           

This trail provides good panoramic views of mountain vistas.  It is especially rewarding when some of the leaves are off the trees, although the mountains can be glimpsed even in summer.  It begins  in the Deep Gap Parking Area (DGPA) and heads south on an old logging road, long grown over with grasses, New Jersey Tea, Mountain Mint, Dodder, Mountain Phlox, Jewelweed, Skullcap, etc. 

    The  trailhead for this hike is located at the Deep Gap Parking Area (DGPA) where the AT ascends to Standing Indian Summit.  It is also the northern terminus of Kimsey Creek Trail.   To get to the DGPA, drive from Franklin,NC, out US 64 west  for about 15 minutes.  Turn left on NF71 which is 3/10 of a mile past the Clay County sign.   The road quickly turns to gravel and dead ends in the DGPA in 6.0 miles (probably about 20 minutes driving time) after leaving US64.  The road is generally good, with two or three rough spots.   

    This hike is a loop which will take about 1.5 hours.  It begins by leaving the DGPA headed SOUTH  on an  unmarked trail for 3 minutes, then you will turn right (west) at a tree marked with a blue ribbon onto a very well established trail marked with blue ribbons.  It is critical that you make this  right turn in the first 3 to 4 minutes.   If you do not make this connection, I recommend you abort the hike and return to the DGPA and hike up the the summit of Standing Indian.  (The trail that continues to the south quickly turns into an extremely difficult and confusing trail  and also becomes a very difficult and strenuous trail to return.) (Also the Collary Cove Trail is a “hunters’ trail” that is in extremely poor shape.) About 24 minutes along the Blue Ribbon Trail, it will dead end into the AT.  The AT will take you north, then east, and finally south back to the parking lot in about 1 hour.    

    The hike provides panoramic views of the mountains.      It is also lush with summer wildflowers.    Both trails provide views of mountain vistas and make a beautiful winter hike.  The best part of the AT is the east leg, because it is on the north side of a ridge.  There are numerous boulder fields and even a boulder elevator shaft (without the elevator).    The AT is very rocky, and I find a walking staff to be very handy

DGPA to Blue Ribbon Trail, AT, return to DGPA.

   :00   Start hike headed south

   :03   Right Turn.      

   :05   Under Rhododendron “forest”

   :08   Creek - Trail turns to right  

   :15   Passing big boulder  

   :18   Trail and creek merge!  Wet boots!

   :20    Creek

   :24    X  AT - Right turn, headed north

   :38   Stump attacked by bear.   

   :46   Blow Down - rocks revealed under roots.

   :48   Trail and creek merge.  Angle toward left slightly, headed NNW.

   :50   Right turn - headed north again

   :57   Right turn - headed east.  Great mountain views!

1:05   Boulder field

1:08   Right turn - headed south.

1:10   Switchbacks.  Oswego Tea, Basil Balm, Fawnsbreath,

1:11    Great “Elevator Shaft”, ravine to left, coves, boulders.  Good photo op if you can figure out how to frame it.

1:12    Stream - very photogenic.

1:20    Stream.  Rocks.

1:27     Road (NF71) in view off to left, and below.

1:31    Deep Gap Parking Area.