February 14, 2023
Park Creek-Park Ridge Trail Loop
near Standing Indian Campground.
This was a nice hike on a mostly sunny day with a cold start finishing with mild temperatures. The trail is well used in mixed condition with the usual rocks and roots plus wet sections and multiple small drainage swales and branches to cross. We hiked the loop counterclockwise which did include one long shallow, then steep climb. We also had to traverse Park Creek using either a double log bridge or a shallow wet crossing. Much of the hike paralleled either the Nantahala River or Park Creek with some pleasant views and sounds. Most of last section of the hike is across slopes on a narrow trail ledge requiring care in footing. Overall this is an easy and enjoyable hike.
The route
5.8 mi · 663 ft climbing · 4h 48m out, 3h 38m 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 (25)
Upper end of the Nantahala River . . . lots of scenic water on this hike! Today's Hikers (L-R)-Left: Jane, Ray, Renee, Mitch & Squirt; Right Back: Jenny, John, Angela, Jack, Ken, Stephanie, Dave, Gary, Terre, Dick & Lynn; Right Front: Mike & Vic Seventeen hikers today getting ready at the trailhead. Views of the Nantahala River from the campground bridge. . . deceptively calm water. These pics of the Nantahala River are more representative of the flow in this area. Yep, those hollowed out, but living trees are still there . . . and its dwarf occupant has come out to greet us. Three main trails originate from Standing Indian Campground: Park Creek, Park Ridge & Kimsey Creek Trail. The wettest section of the Park Creek Trail is along the flood plain west of the Nantahala River at the start of the hike. A nice bridge to cross the Nantahala River where Park Creek runs into it. Scenes of Park Creek for the next mile or so. Just some things that caught our eye along the trail. Lower right: Very small seedling with moss growing up its length ??? Talking about oddities . . . a fungus on moss that looks like a miniature octopus. The trail got much drier, but steeper after we crossed the Nantahala River. Okay Heather, check this extremely large tree gall out. Spotted by Ken Kellerman, this gall probably tripled the diameter of this tree. Lots of shallow water crossings along this trail. This was the most challenging water crossing. Some chose to take the high path across the logs. But others felt more comfortable crossing through the water. Got to eat sometime! Even Squirt! Headed back along a steep side-slope with narrow ledge. This latter section of the the Park Ridge Trail shows the evidence of the controlled burn a few years back. Thanks for waiting. Almost there! An interesting large 5-trunked tree at the end of the hike. Now that's gnarly!