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Northeast Georgia HikingNew & Old Friends Who Like to Hike

August 10, 2021

Park Ridge/Park Creek Trail Loop

Distance
5.7 mi
Climbing
676 ft
Difficulty
Easy
Type
Loop
GPS track availableView on AllTrails →

This was an easy hike with just one short section of incline connecting the Park Creek and Park Ridge Trails. For a well used trail, it was in fair condition, although there were a few sections of the trail on a very narrow and soft path across the side of some fairly steep slopes requiring care in your footing. The weather was excellent with mostly clear skies and temperatures between 65 and 75 . We were surprised by the numerous summer wildflowers. My Garmin recorded this hike at 7.1 miles and last year AllTrails recorded it as 6.3 miles???

The route

5.7 mi · 676 ft climbing · 4h 33m out, 3h 30m walking · 1.6 mph moving

Elevation

Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.

3,923 ft3,348 ft0.0 mi1.4 mi2.8 mi4.2 mi5.7 mi
  • Steepness
  • Gentle under 5%
  • Moderate 5–10%
  • Steep 10–15%
  • Very steep over 15%

Photos (27)

  • A view of the Nantahala River from one of John Cape's kid's swimming spots!
  • A view of the Nantahala River
  • Today's hikers (L-R): Christine, Mike, John, Patti, Lynn, Ray, Jenny, Renée & Beth
  • Which way? Start of the main loop trail.
  • Slippery wet bridges on the way to the loop trail.
  • This way to the first part of the loop . . . nice easy slope!
  • There were a number of small creek crossings along the way. This one the largest. . . . a few bridges.
  • Don't miss turning left onto this connector trail between the Park Creek and Park Ridge Trails. It is a bit of a climb though.
  • This is the way back when hiking the loop counterclockwise.
  • One of several gnarly American Beech trees along the Nantahala River near the campground. Some with Rhododendron growing our of the trunk.
  • Another American Beech hollowed out, but still alive.
  • Another group photo on the main campground bridge across the Nantahala at the end of the hike.
  • Lots of Bee Balm along this trail.
  • Many wildflowers showing their seeds
  • Various wildflowers
  • With all of the rain and a damp, if not wet, trail, examples of the fungus.
  • Ground hugging plants
  • Before and after seeding of Doll Eyes.
  • Turk's-Cap or Carolina Lily ??
  • Mayapple with large fruit.
  • Paralleling streams and creeks along much of the trail.
  • Another view of the streams and creeks along much of the trail.
  • Some form of Hepatica ??
  • False Solomon's Seal fruiting
  • Lots of False Helibore along the way blooming . . . just many small green blooms
  • Well made spider web beside the trail.
  • Close-up of False Helibore bloom .... Yes, its out of focus.