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.