June 23, 2026
Appalachian Trail - Standing Indian Mountain from Deep Gap
in the Nantahala National Forest southwest of Franklin, NC
We had a great weather day for a hike with cloudy skies, cool, 60°F to 65°F temperatures and light winds, especially at the peak of Standing Indian. The trails were damp, but not muddy from overnight rains. Otherwise they were in fair shape with the usual rocks and roots of a well-used Appalachian Trail. It was a mostly gentle, but consistent climb of 2.8 mile to the top. The peak lacked any views from a cloud cover. However, we did get a few peeks of the surrounding mountains as we made our climb. One of the pleasant surprises of today's hike were the large number of Flame azaleas still in bloom along most of the trail. We missed our trail dogs on this hike.
Today's hikers: Matt Henderson, Renee Corbett, Jenny Bell, Gerald Richardson, Jack Treadman, Charles Hawkins, Beth Hawkins & Mike Bell.
The route
5.6 mi · 1,161 ft climbing · 4h 9m out, 3h 27m walking · 1.6 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
22 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (23)
No vistas from Standing Indian, but it was still a good hike. Today's hikers (L-R): Matt, Renee, John, Jenny, Gerald, Jack, Charles, Beth & Mike No vistas from Standing Indian, but it was still a good hike. Today's hikers (L-R): Matt, Renee, John, Jenny, Gerald, Jack, Charles, Beth & Mike Getting started. First seen wildflowers: Top-Fire Pink; Bottom-Evening Primrose Crossing over a drainage feature on a short bridge. One of numerous examples of Flame azalea seen along the trail today. Left: The only example of phlox seen on the trail; UR: Wild hydrangea; LR: Woodland bluet We've seen these before. Right Heather? Witch hazel leaf galls caused in this case by aphids. It's a good day for yellow wildflowers: Left-Southern bush honeysuckle; UR-Coreopsis; LR-Whorled yellow loosestrife Now the white wildflowers: Top-Goat's beard; Bottom-Hairy angelica ??? Heading into the cloud layer on the 3rd switchback just prior to the peak of Standing Indian Mountain. Just one of very few rhododendron still in bloom. These azalea galls are always a curious sight. One of the few views of the surrounding mountains as we are approaching Standing Indian. So let's grab a snack before heading back. Let's head back. Now it's clearing a bit. That's a better view that we were hoping for. This photo shows the historic (2016???) fire damage to the area approaching Standing Indian. The trail home showing some of the Flame azaleas. A last curiosity . . . I believe this is "love-vine" or "dodder," a parasitic vine, Cassytha filiformis? As we hiked, John Cape reminisced about these nice signs that are no long present on this trail.