June 23, 2015
Appalachian Trail - Standing Indian Mountain - NC
Appalachian Trail - Deep Gap to Standing Indian Mountain, NCJune 23, 2015
This week's hike was on the Appalachian Trail near Franklin, NC. We did an out and back hike from Deep Gap to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain.
This portion of the A.T. is nice for a summertime hike. Only 5.25 miles round trip.
Today, we had an unexpected adventure when we were driving up F.S. road 71 we encountered a large tree-fall across the road about one mile before Deep Gap. We parked our cars on the side of the road and walked the road up to the gap giving us a couple of miles added to the round trip hike. We were able to call the Forest Service in Franklin and they sent a crew to clean up the tree while we were hiking.
The air is always a bit cooler here along with great views at the summit of Standing Indian. It is a persistent uphill climb to the summit. The actual summit is on a short side trail to the right around 2.5 miles from Deep Gap. Near the same point, you will also see a side trail to the left (Lower Ridge Trail) that leads down to Standing Indian Campground.
Total hiking distance today - 7.25 miles with a large elevation gain.
Directions: From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 14 miles (from the overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71 Deep Gap Rd. It is the first road to the left past the County Line sign (Clay County). Drive approximately 5.8 miles on this gravel road (FS 71) to the end of the road - Deep Gap parking lot.
Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and mild with temperatures ranging from 69 to 75 degrees F.
Hikers (11)
- Suzanne Belflower
- John Bellamy
- Greta Driggers
- Charlie Fligg
- Bill Hunt
- Dick Metzgar
- Mike Jones
- Jeanne O'Connor
- Huck Phillips
- Tony Presley
- Malivia Swanson
Flowers in bloom
Sundrops, Whorled Loosestrife, Flame Azalea, Indian Cucumber Root, Four-Leaf Milkweed, Indian Physic, Wild Hydrangea, Rosebay Rhododendron, Purple Flowering Raspberry, Fire Pink, Black-eyed Susan
Birds identified
Yellow-breasted Chat, Oven Bird, Dark-eyed Junco, Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-thoarted Blue Warbler, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Veery, White-brested Nuthatch, Field Sparrow, Rose-brested Grosbeak, Eastern Bluebird
Photos (14)
Parking on the side of the road about one mile below the trailhead. Working our way through the blow-down! Hiking up Forest Service Road 71 to Deep Gap. After one mile, we make it to Deep Gap (Appalachian Trail) Purple-flowering Raspberry Entering the Wilderness Area Taking a break near the Standing Indian Campground. We saw lots of Flame Azaleas. Our view from the summit of Standing Indian (5,498 ft.). View 2 Lunchtime at Standing Indian! Fungus of the week! Fire Pink The OFHC gang for today's hike. (l-r) Charlie Fligg, Carole Wintle, Bill Hunt, Mike Jones & "Barney", Malivia Swanson, Suzanne Belflower, John Bellamy, Greta Driggers, Jeanne O'Connor, Bill Hunt, Huck Phillips and Tony Presley .