HIKING





KIMSEY CREEK TRAIL





OVERVIEW: Beautiful and popular blue-blazed trail following the course of Kimsey Creek from Standing Indian Campground to Deep Gap on the Appalachian Trail.


HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate to Strenuous

ROUTE TYPE: Out and back

HIKE LENGTH: 8.1 miles (including from parking to trailhead)

ELEVATION CHANGE: 1,240 feet

TREADWAY: Terrain varies; lots of shallow water/rocks to navigate

HIKE START LOCATION: Parking lot at Back Country Information Center on FS67 in Standing Indian area

DISTANCE FROM TOWN CENTER: Approximately 14 miles

DOGS: Required to be on leash


DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

​A good number of excellent hikes begin at the Back Country Information Center, many of which serve as connecting trails to the A.T. There is a sign at the Back Country Information Center listing the names and distances of the hikes, including the Kimsey Creek Trail. This is both where you park your car and where the hike begins. The trail is well-marked. Follow signs to the junction of the Kimsey Creek Trail and the Park Ridge/Park Creek Loop and turn left. In about 0.3 miles you will go up a relatively short, steep incline and hike above the campground, eventually ending up on an old Forest Service road. Follow the blue blazes and remain on this road for several miles. It will become quite wet with water crossings, springs, and feeder streams to Kimsey Creek. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if you’re on the trail or in the creek! However, the water is never very deep and there are lots of rocks to hop to and from. Of course, trekking poles can be quite useful! Eventually, there will be a bridge where the Forest Service road ends and a single trail path begins again. This is a drier section of the trail but there are abundant water sounds and small waterfalls. The trail then rises above the creek (another steep incline) and drops back down. Finally, the trail leaves the creek and travels up through an old picnic and camping area to Deep Gap. To get back to your car, simply reverse course. Or, if you want more hiking, Standing Indian Mountain can be reached from here by turning left on the A.T.





BARTRAM TRAIL: WALLACE BRANCH TO WILLIAM'S PULPIT





OVERVIEW: Wallace Branch to William's Pulpit is a 4.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail that features a waterfall and offers a number of activity options. Best used from March - October.


HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate

ROUTE TYPE: Out and back

HIKE LENGTH: 4.1 miles

ELEVATION CHANGE: 1,085 feet

TREADWAY: Well-used dirt trail; can be muddy

HIKE START LOCATION: from U.S. Highway 441/U.s. Highway 64 junction in Franklin, drive West on U.S. Highway 64 for 1 mile and turn right at the light onto Sloan Road. In 0.3 miles (passing the Nantahala Ranger Station on the right), take a slight left at the stop sign onto Old Murphy Road and then an immediate right onto Pressley Road. In 1.1 miles, Pressley Road turns into Ray Cove Road (no turn needed). Continue for another 0.6 miles to the dead end at the Wallace Branch access to the Bartram Trail.

DISTANCE FROM TOWN CENTER: Approximately 5 miles

DOGS: Required to be on leash


DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

​Part of Section 4 of the 100-mile NC Bartram Trail. The trail offers a steady climb up the ridges and peaceful forests. There are Spring and Summer wildflowers along the trail and a cascading waterfall within 5 minutes of the parking area. At William's Pulpul, there are views of Mill Creek Country Club and the valley from a 100 ft. long rock shelf.





RUFUS MORGAN TRAIL





OVERVIEW: Beautiful, blue-blazed waterfall hike that can be enjoyed by inexperienced hikers, as well as experienced ones. The trail begins at the small parking lot and is well-marked and maintained. Follow the blue blazes. There is a beautiful waterfall and in the late Spring and some of the Summer, the blooming rhododendrons, flame azaleas, and mountain laurel are spectacular.


HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate

ROUTE TYPE: Loop

HIKE LENGTH: 1.0 miles

ELEVATION CHANGE: 288 feet

TREADWAY: Some rocks, roots and water, but none are particularly problematic

HIKE START LOCATION: After taking U.S. 64 West for 3 miles out of Franklin, turn right at Wayah Bald directional sign. Take first left onto Wayah Road (S.R. 1310) and go 6 miles. Then go left on F.S. 388. Trail is 2.2 miles on right.

DISTANCE FROM TOWN CENTER: Approximately 11.2 miles

DOGS: Required to be on leash


DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

​The trail begins at the small parking lot and is well-marked and maintained. Follow the blue blazes. There is a beautiful waterfall and in the late Spring and some of the Summer, the blooming rhododendrons, flame azaleas, and mountain laurel are spectacular.





WAYAH CREST TO SILER BALD





OVERVIEW: Very popular and beautiful hike on the Appalachian Trail and then up a hill .3 mile to an incredible 360º view known as Siler Bald.


HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate

ROUTE TYPE: Out and back

HIKE LENGTH: 3.5 miles

ELEVATION CHANGE: 1,007 feet

TREADWAY: Well0used and maintained dirt trail

HIKE START LOCATION: Wayah Crest, which is off Wayah Road (S.R. 1310) on the other side of the street from gravel road (F.S. 69) which leads to Wayah Bald

DISTANCE FROM TOWN CENTER: Approximately 12 miles

DOGS: Required to be on leash


DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

​There is no sign for Wayah Crest on Wayah Road. However, if you follow Wayah Road for nine miles from U.S. 64, there is a sign for Wayah Bald on the right. You should look to the left and turn off the road where you will find a parking lot for Wayah Crest. The Appalachian Trail is found just beyond the picnic area. Look for the white blazes. This hike has a steady incline, with enough breaks to catch your breath, and is forested much of the way. However, you will come to a large meadow and, depending on the time of year, the wildflowers can be outstanding. There is a steep trail to the right which you should follow for about a quarter mile to the top of Siler Road.





STANDING INDIAN, MOUNT ALBERT, NANTAHALA BASIN LOOP





OVERVIEW: Very popular and beautiful hike on the Appalachian Trail and then up a hill .3 mile to an incredible 360º view known as Siler Bald.


HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: Hard

ROUTE TYPE: Loop

HIKE LENGTH: 20.4 miles

ELEVATION CHANGE: 4,317 feet

TREADWAY: Well-used; can be overgrown

HIKE START LOCATION: Head South on Iotla Street toward E. Main/US 441 Business. Turn right at 1st cross stree onto W. Main Street/US 441 Business. Turn left onto Porter Street/US 441 Business. Go 1.1 miles and merge right onto US-64/Murphy Road. Go 11.6 miles and turn left onto Allison Creek Road/W. Old Murphy Road. Continue 1.9 miles to the National Forest Road on your right. Continue 2.1 miles, following signs.

DISTANCE FROM TOWN CENTER: Approximately 17 miles

DOGS: Required to be on leash


DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

This is a very popular loop trail that circles the headwaters of the Nantahala river. Standing Indian Basin is the horseshoe-shaped drainage formed by the Nantahala and Blue Ridge Mountains. This is the perfect loop trail: it includes 15 mi of the AT, has 2 summits with spectacular views, does not involve any difficult climbs, has frequent established campsites to customize the distances per day, and has many water sources. It even has alternate trail options and the flexibility of keeping it leisurely or fast paced as desired.


Several prominent peaks over 5,000 feet in elevation—Albert Mountain, Big Butt, Little Bald, and Standing Indian Mountain—cap the rim of the drainage. There are many trails through the area and several options exist for loop trails.


What makes this area so attractive for hiking is the way the Appalachian Trail (AT) strangely forms about 270 degrees of a loop, which is easily connect with local trails. Parking is available at the Backcountry Information Center (a kiosk with maps and safety info) which is located a few hundred yards past the Standing Indian Campground (bathrooms and even a shower available in the campground just a short walk from the parking lot) on Forest Service Rd 67.


Start this loop on the Long Branch Trail (the sign is visible from the parking area). Start here and proceed clockwise around the loop because the ascents are not as steep and you do not start off climbing to the tallest peak on the trip from the base of the valley. Going this direction, only about 300 ft of the climb up Mt Albert is steep, all other grades are easily manageable. In the opposite direction, the climb up Mt Albert is extremely steep and gains about 400 ft at that rate. The first campsite in this direction is about 1.75 mi up the trail in a clearing.


If you can manage about 5.5 mi hiking on your first day you can camp at the summit of Mt Albert, which had a few good spots and clear views of the Milky Way at night (assuming no clouds). Most of the major gaps have plentiful camping sites. Water is generally plentiful on this trail, but in early October not all the sources provided adequate flow for pumping. Filling up at the ‘008Road’ point on the Long Branch Creek is recommended. The water is often plentiful and easy to pump, and many other water sources are pretty reliable including the springs at Carter Gap and Standing Indian, but obviously every year and every season is different. If you want to get the campsite of the summit of Standing Indian, plan on getting to it early in the day. The summit site allows spectacular views of the sunset from while sitting at the fire, but the views at the southern viewing points are better.


Wherever you stay make sure you go to the other lookout points, which are fairly easy to find by looking for outcroppings of rock. This route descends the Lower Ridge Trail (4.2 mi) rather than the more popular Kimsey Creek Trail (7.0 mi). Both trails are consistently very steep. The Kimsey Creek Trail seems to follow the creek closely, which is always nice. The Lower Ridge Trail is very beautiful too, but doesn’t beat a creek to follow. Also, if you plan to stay at the Standing Indian Shelter, then the Kimsey Creek Trail is a better choice. The advantage of the Lower Ridge Trail is the shorter distance and faster exit, but it is a pretty trail even if it is steeper because it descends 2000 ft in 3.75 mi instead of about 5.5 mi.





STANDING INDIAN MOUNTAIN VIA DEEP GAP





OVERVIEW: A 4.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March - November.


HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate to Strenuous

ROUTE TYPE: Out and Back

HIKE LENGTH: 4.9 miles

ELEVATION CHANGE: 1,095 feet

TREADWAY: Well-used; rocky with roots

HIKE START LOCATION: US-64 West/Murphy Road towards Hayesville/Murphy. After 4 miles, merge onto US-64 West/Murphy Road. Continue for 15.9 miles. Turn left onto Deep Gap Road and continue for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto National Forest Road and continue for 3.3 miles. Turn right to stay on National Forest Road. Parking area will be 0.6 miles on your right.

DISTANCE FROM TOWN CENTER: Approximately 21.6 miles

DOGS: Required to be on leash


DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

The hike departs the Deep Gap Trailhead and parking area off the gravel-paved FS 71 near of Franklin, NC (view maps and driving directions), following the white-blazed Appalachian Trail northeast from the gap. The trail begins a nearly unrelenting climb to the summit, veering northbound under the canopy of the leafy forest. Fern and moss thrive on the sunlight-dappled, rocky forest floor.


The trail winds through switchbacks, continuing its climb and passing a wooden Nantahala National Forest sign at .5 mile. Veering southbound, the hike passes several campsites, first a smaller and then a large, level, multi-tent site alongside a small stream at .75 mile. The hike reaches a blue-blazed trail at just under a mile, following the spur trail 100 yards to the Standing Indian Shelter, a primitive overnight shelter for thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Standing Indian Shelter on the Appalachian Trail.


Returning to the AT, the hike resumes its climb, trailing through several wide switchbacks. The climb intensifies at 1.7 miles as the trail meanders through tight switchbacks, tunneling through an overhead canopy of gnarly-branched rhododendron. Sunlight filters through the leathery rhododendron leaves, basking the forest in golden light. Standing Indian Mountain on the Appalachian Trail.


The trail straightens its course, exiting the thick thickets of rhododendron and running a ridge, catching through-the-trees views on both sides of the trail. Nearing the summit, the AT passes a junction with the blue-blazed Lower Ridge Trail on the left at 2.4 miles. (The Lower Ridge Trail drops a steep 4.1 miles to the nearby Standing Indian Campground.)


The route reaches a wooden ‘Standing Indian Mountain’ sign, veering right off the AT to hike a side trail through a group of near-summit campsites. The hike reaches the Standing Indian Mountain summit overlook at 2.5 miles. Beautiful views expand to the west, overlooking the headwaters of the Tallulah River, the same river that, south of the NC border, carves deep and cascades in a series of beautiful waterfalls in Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge. On the far horizon, Lake Burton is visible, nestled in the rolling southern Appalachian Mountains.


The view is gorgeous, especially when it’s painted in autumn’s brilliant leaf color. The overlook is a fantastic resting spot for a mid-hike snack, water break, or a simply great spot to soak up some outstanding outdoor beauty.


The hike departs the summit and flips to follow its outbound journey in reverse, trekking back to the Appalachian Trail and descending Standing Indian Mountain. The AT reaches the Deep Gap Trailhead at 5 miles, completing the hike.





LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER GREENWAY





OVERVIEW: a 6.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.


HIKE DIFFICULTY RATING: Easy to Moderate

ROUTE TYPE: Out and Back

HIKE LENGTH: 6.1 miles

ELEVATION CHANGE: 180 feet

TREADWAY: Well-used; partially paved

HIKE START LOCATION: Head south on Iotla Street towards E. Main Street/US 441 Business. Continue onto Phillips Street. Turn left onto E. Palmer Street/US 441 Business. After 0.6 miles, continue onto Big Bear Lane, then continue onto NE Main Street/US 441 Business. Turn right onto Highlands Road. Destination will be on the left.

DISTANCE FROM TOWN CENTER: Approximately 1 mile

DOGS: Required to be on leash


DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

The Little Tennessee River Greenway follows the Little Tennessee River and a tributary, Cartoogechaye Creek. There are plans to extend the greenway from Suli Marsh, at Arthur Drake Road to Lake Emory, another 2 miles.


The greenway meanders through wetlands, railroad cuts left behind by the Tallulah Falls Railroad, alongside pastures and through upland forest. Its surface is a mix of paved and non-paved (gravel) sections.


The greenway includes benches, picnic shelters, fishing piers, exercise stations, a playground with water feature, canoe put-ins and much flora and fauna.