Story:
Across the river is the Linville Gorge Trail which descends about 700' along the river over 6.5mi. The LGT is a pretty rugged trail and the trail will often climb 100+' above the river and then descend again and sometimes these deviations are steep and treacherous. This up and down makes for a long, rigorous hike. The downed trees on the trail are the biggest nuisance here to as they are like speed bumps. There are two main intersections you pass (and a few minor spurs, too) Conley Cove (0.75mi) and PinchIn (4mi), which are the major river access trails to the west side of the river. Campsites on the river are abundant, especially near these trails, but it is also sad to see the litter from lazy campers who don't take their trash out. Regarding water, the river is always available, but there are reports of mercury contamination from an old mine. Streams are plentiful, but we didn't find may running until near PinchIN, then there were several regularly until leaving the river.
At the end of the LGT is a sign directing you up out of the gorge on the Leadmine trail. When you first see it you will be astonished and when astonishment is no longer adequate you will be forced to resort to dismay. Legend is that there was or were plans for a lead mine in this area. My theory is that the person who charted this trail was raised by wolves in a lead mine. This should not be a trail. It involves climbing 350' in what looks and feels like 60-70deg inclines. Toe holds are minimal, there is nothing to hold on to and slipping would seem to imply rolling all the way back to the bottom. Do not attempt if it is raining or likely rained in the last 48 hrs. Traction is 90% dirt (or mud if its wet). By the grace of God we all made it up without incident. Once you make it to the top of the first ridge, you proceed through a series of steep ravines. The area is really beautiful if you can stop cursing long enough to pay attention. To be fair, near the top there is lots of evidence of real trail building and it is sometimes challenging, but not unreasonable. I am grateful for the volunteers who worked on this trail and expect it will continue to be improved. It is better than the alternative: climbing 1700' in 1.3mi out PinchIn, walking a forest road for 2.5mi, then descending 1200' in 1.1mi along the MST.
When you see the 'Leadmine' trail you might feel it is impossible (impassable?). You will hate it. You will triumph. And still hate it.
Leadmine intersects the MST at a turn. Follow the white blazed trail to the left down the mountain. The MST descends easily and at times is like a road. There was one intersection that confused us: don't cross the bridge/stream. There are some slight up's and down's and one major knoll (200' up a 24% grade) to climb before descending back to the river. There are several campsites by the river.
If the river is not too high, you can cross where the MST meets the river. You wade down stream a bit before crossing, then take the 'Faulkner Flats' trail about 100' upstream from the crossing. This trail is the shortest way back to the parking lot via a consistent and fairly easy climb with the least unnecessary climbing. There is another crossing upstream 0.25mi upstream following the MST, which is easier (especially in higher water levels I hear), but 0.75mi longer and includes climbing and descending 700' unnecessarily. There is a crossover trail from the MST to the FF trail and some 'gorge rats' are working on a shortcut from the MST crossing to the Wolfpit Parking area.
This trip inspired by BackPacker Mags 'Asheville, NC: Linville Gorge Loop'. Before starting our trip in the afternoon, we spent the morning hiking the trails around the falls. They are worth seeing if you have time.
I would say this trip is too hard, but 3 dads, 3 boys age 12, and a 16 year old eagle scout did it without injury or incident. It feels great sitting in my home writing this thinking of the beauty of God's creation and the triumph of completing the loop, but out on the trail was travail. The gorge is 'the most rugged land east of the Mississippi' and it will take sheer determination to complete this hike—and no one can get you out.
The trip begins at the Wolfpit Parking area on the southeast side of the gorge. The trail climbs moderately immediately from the parking area to the summit of Shortoff gaining 1200' in 1.75mi. The climb has surprisingly pretty views because of a recent fire, but it is also in full sun. Several of the panoramas were taken on the climb or on the cliffs of Shortoff, great views! The Wolfpit trail crosses the MST on the climb, which is where you would return to Wolfpit if you return via the MST.
There are a variety of camps on Shortoff, we chose a rugged one on the cliff edge, but the hike back to the Springtree was 1.8mi. We hunted for the 'Overhung Camp' but couldn't find it. I suggest getting water at the spring tree or at least going to see it. The next water is at Chimney Gap, but you have to go down quite a way to get it.
The hike up The Chimneys is strenuous, much steeper than AT trails and it gets slightly steeper as you near the top. It gains over 1000' in 1mi and is a workout. Once you get to the top, take the second left on the Amphitheater trail. You will be sad to go down almost 400' to the top of the Amphitheater. Take the trail down into the Amphitheater without your pack and explore. We found a waterfall to cool of with and climbing around on the big boulders was fun. We did replenish water here, but discovered a stream less than 30' from the descent trail.
Finding and following the NC Wall trail was a bit of a challenge, but the GPS helped and bushwhacking was not hard when needed. You can almost make up your own trail just following the edge of the cliff when possible. It is sometimes poorly marked (orange dots on the rocks) and even more poorly maintained and sometimes impossible to follow, but dramatic views, interesting terrain and the spirit of adventure are worth it! It was a little intense hiking on some fairly rugged rocks within 10' of a 500' cliff, especially if you are watching your son who is not as careful as you feel his mother would want him to be and certain death is just a stumble away. We even had to crawl on hands and knees under a rock about 12" from the cliff edge. (If you don't think you can do this, go back to the MST) The NC Wall trail connects to the Mossy Monster, which returns to the MST.
Go left and the MST an continue to The Chimneys Summit. This was a favorite with the kids. They are beautiful and interesting rock formations, which really deserved more time to explore (scrambling anyone?), but even the hike through them is memorable.
From here the MST descends a bit to the Table Rock parking area and about 0.25mi forks to ascend Table Rock or left takes you on the Little Table Rock trail that descends steeply to Spence Ridge. We left our packs again near the intersection and climbed Table Rock. It is only 1mi to the summit from the parking lot and a easy climb without packs. The views were great and especially gave a bird's eye view of the day's travels, but climbing and descending Table Rock adds more miles to the feet for the day. A couple in the party found the steep descent on LTR more difficult because of the added up and down to summit Table Rock. You make the call. At the bottom (mostly) of the LTR is a stream and about 200' further is a nice campsite with room for 3+ tents.
The LTR seems to dead end into a large open campsite, but actually continues around the corner to the right heading away from the river for about 0.25mi before joining the Spence Ridge Trail at a Y. Go left and follow the SRT gently down to the River (1 mi). There are several campsites on the SRT. The bridges make it easy to cross the river at all times of the year. The water was extremely refreshing in mid May. I would say this trip is too hard, but 3 dads, 3 boys age 12, and a 16 year old eagle scout did it without injury or incident. It feels great sitting in my home writing this thinking of the beauty of God's creation and the triumph of completing the loop, but out on the trail was travail. The gorge is 'the most rugged land east of the Mississippi' and it will take sheer determination to complete this hike—and no one can get you out.
The trip begins at the Wolfpit Parking area on the southeast side of the gorge. The trail climbs moderately immediately from the parking area to the summit of Shortoff gaining 1200' in 1.75mi. The climb has surprisingly pretty views because of a recent fire, but it is also in full sun. Several of the panoramas were taken on the climb or on the cliffs of Shortoff, great views! The Wolfpit trail crosses the MST on the climb, which is where you would return to Wolfpit if you return via the MST.
There are a variety of camps on Shortoff, we chose a rugged one on the cliff edge, but the hike back to the Springtree was 1.8mi. We hunted for the 'Overhung Camp' but couldn't find it. I suggest getting water at the spring tree or at least going to see it. The next water is at Chimney Gap, but you have to go down quite a way to get it.
The hike up The Chimneys is strenuous, much steeper than AT trails and it gets slightly steeper as you near the top. It gains over 1000' in 1mi and is a workout. Once you get to the top, take the second left on the Amphitheater trail. You will be sad to go down almost 400' to the top of the Amphitheater. Take the trail down into the Amphitheater without your pack and explore. We found a waterfall to cool of with and climbing around on the big boulders was fun. We did replenish water here, but discovered a stream less than 30' from the descent trail.
Finding and following the NC Wall trail was a bit of a challenge, but the GPS helped and bushwhacking was not hard when needed. You can almost make up your own trail just following the edge of the cliff when possible. It is sometimes poorly marked (orange dots on the rocks) and even more poorly maintained and sometimes impossible to follow, but dramatic views, interesting terrain and the spirit of adventure are worth it! It was a little intense hiking on some fairly rugged rocks within 10' of a 500' cliff, especially if you are watching your son who is not as careful as you feel his mother would want him to be and certain death is just a stumble away. We even had to crawl on hands and knees under a rock about 12" from the cliff edge. (If you don't think you can do this, go back to the MST) The NC Wall trail connects to the Mossy Monster, which returns to the MST.
Go left and the MST an continue to The Chimneys Summit. This was a favorite with the kids. They are beautiful and interesting rock formations, which really deserved more time to explore (scrambling anyone?), but even the hike through them is memorable.
From here the MST descends a bit to the Table Rock parking area and about 0.25mi forks to ascend Table Rock or left takes you on the Little Table Rock trail that descends steeply to Spence Ridge. We left our packs again near the intersection and climbed Table Rock. It is only 1mi to the summit from the parking lot and a easy climb without packs. The views were great and especially gave a bird's eye view of the day's travels, but climbing and descending Table Rock adds more miles to the feet for the day. A couple in the party found the steep descent on LTR more difficult because of the added up and down to summit Table Rock. You make the call. At the bottom (mostly) of the LTR is a stream and about 200' further is a nice campsite with room for 3+ tents.
Across the river is the Linville Gorge Trail which descends about 700' along the river over 6.5mi. The LGT is a pretty rugged trail and the trail will often climb 100+' above the river and then descend again and sometimes these deviations are steep and treacherous. This up and down makes for a long, rigorous hike. The downed trees on the trail are the biggest nuisance here to as they are like speed bumps. There are two main intersections you pass (and a few minor spurs, too) Conley Cove (0.75mi) and PinchIn (4mi), which are the major river access trails to the west side of the river. Campsites on the river are abundant, especially near these trails, but it is also sad to see the litter from lazy campers who don't take their trash out. Regarding water, the river is always available, but there are reports of mercury contamination from an old mine. Streams are plentiful, but we didn't find may running until near PinchIN, then there were several regularly until leaving the river.
At the end of the LGT is a sign directing you up out of the gorge on the Leadmine trail. When you first see it you will be astonished and when astonishment is no longer adequate you will be forced to resort to dismay. Legend is that there was or were plans for a lead mine in this area. My theory is that the person who charted this trail was raised by wolves in a lead mine. This should not be a trail. It involves climbing 350' in what looks and feels like 60-70deg inclines. Toe holds are minimal, there is nothing to hold on to and slipping would seem to imply rolling all the way back to the bottom. Do not attempt if it is raining or likely rained in the last 48 hrs. Traction is 90% dirt (or mud if its wet). By the grace of God we all made it up without incident. Once you make it to the top of the first ridge, you proceed through a series of steep ravines. The area is really beautiful if you can stop cursing long enough to pay attention. To be fair, near the top there is lots of evidence of real trail building and it is sometimes challenging, but not unreasonable. I am grateful for the volunteers who worked on this trail and expect it will continue to be improved. It is better than the alternative: climbing 1700' in 1.3mi out PinchIn, walking a forest road for 2.5mi, then descending 1200' in 1.1mi along the MST.
When you see the 'Leadmine' trail you might feel it is impossible (impassable?). You will hate it. You will triumph. And still hate it.
Leadmine intersects the MST at a turn. Follow the white blazed trail to the left down the mountain. The MST descends easily and at times is like a road. There was one intersection that confused us: don't cross the bridge/stream. There are some slight up's and down's and one major knoll (200' up a 24% grade) to climb before descending back to the river. There are several campsites by the river.
If the river is not too high, you can cross where the MST meets the river. You wade down stream a bit before crossing, then take the 'Faulkner Flats' trail about 100' upstream from the crossing. This trail is the shortest way back to the parking lot via a consistent and fairly easy climb with the least unnecessary climbing. There is another crossing upstream 0.25mi upstream following the MST, which is easier (especially in higher water levels I hear), but 0.75mi longer and includes climbing and descending 700' unnecessarily. There is a crossover trail from the MST to the FF trail and some 'gorge rats' are working on a shortcut from the MST crossing to the Wolfpit Parking area.
Tips:
Bring a GPS or you will get lost—actually you will get lost with a GPS, too, but it won't be life-threatening. Do your research before you go. http://www.linvillegorge.net/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/linvillegorge/ will put you in touch with people who spend a lot of time in the gorge ('gorge rats') and they have a lot of resources like full maps of all trails in GPX and GoogleEarth formats, plus PDF maps to print. I can also ONLY recommend hiking this trip in counter-clockwise direction.
Bring a GPS or you will get lost—actually you will get lost with a GPS, too, but it won't be life-threatening. Do your research before you go. http://www.linvillegorge.net/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/linvillegorge/ will put you in touch with people who spend a lot of time in the gorge ('gorge rats') and they have a lot of resources like full maps of all trails in GPX and GoogleEarth formats, plus PDF maps to print. I can also ONLY recommend hiking this trip in counter-clockwise direction.
Tags:
Liville Gorge, Ashville, bald, gorge, river, panarama
Liville Gorge, Ashville, bald, gorge, river, panarama
Comments (3)
Great trip we downloaded Kurtisk's gps info and it really helped when where not sure of the trail.
by DeHon on Oct 20, 2012
This hike was spectacular in every way. Views galore, rocky cliffs, mountain tops, scrambling, side trips, streams, swimming, river crossing, and spectacularly hard. Do your research.
by kurtisk on May 28, 2011
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