help me with this standing indian loop...

[kilarney1902]

i am trying to do the standing indian loop, but through some googling i have found there are different possibilities. some folk and i are doing a three day hike, looking for 20-30 miles. is there a possibility here?

[papa john]

Definitely! Park your car in the backcountry parking lot (stay left as you come into the campground) and then follow the Kimsey Creek Trail through the park and up the mountain to Deep Gap. Once at the AT, turn left and ascend to Standing Indian Shelter (about .9 miles) and then ascend Standing Indian Mountain. Follow the trail all the way around and back to the road and then walk back to your car. Piece of cake and a great area to hike. You can stretch this out to 3 easy days. For an added bonus continue to hike on to Winding Stair Gap and then retrace your steps back to your car.

[sbennett]

The trail that takes you back to the parking lot (and finishes this loop that starts with the Kimsey Creek Trail and the AT) is the Long Branch trail. The total length is somewhat more than 20 miles and can be done as an overnight or 3 day. You go by 3 shelters (at least) during the hike and there are plenty of other places to camp.

[Egads]

I found the Kimsey Creek trail confusing. I hiked the bottom part of it until I reached a grassy bush hogged forest service road. This is a couple of tenths after the big clearing. I went right along this road and found more blazes, but they were for the wrong trail. Whoever is doing the blazing should use different colors for different trails here

Anyone have the scoop?

And yes, no problems with water on the loop. IIRC, there are at least 8-10 sources.

[papa john]

When you get to that grassy area, turn right and follow the creek up the hill. It is a bit confusing there, I agree.

[Egads]

When you get to that grassy area, turn right and follow the creek up the hill. It is a bit confusing there, I agree.

I made it past this point. What is next?

[papa john]

If you went past the clearing, then you went too far. When you come out of the woods and reach the clearing, turn right and hike up the hill. You will see the correct blazes for the KCT. The trail follows the creek for quite some time, you will cross over a few times and then it will eventually stay on the right side.

[sherrill]

Send a pm to Marta. She was extremely helpful to me with directions at the bottom of Kimsey Creek, which is confusing. She's done this area numerous times.

[Summit]

It is because getting started on the Kimsey Creek trail can be confusing that I would recommend doing the loop the other direction. Park at the Backcountry parking. Forget walking the road up to Rock Gap. Cross the USFS road and head up Long Branch trail (beautiful 2 mile trail up to the AT). There is a great field to camp in with creek right next to the field about 1 3/4 miles up the trail (great if you drive/arrive late). Then you climb steeply up to Glassmine Gap, turn right (south) on AT and hike over Albert Mt, Standing Indian Mt, down to Deep Gap, and then take the blue blaze Kimsey Creek trail back down to the campground. About a mile down the Kimsey Creek trail, you go thru a gate and cross a gravel parking lot by the USFS road that goes to Deep Gap. It's a little hard to find where the trail continues but if you walk to the other end of the parking area and then look for an overgrown faint looking trail leading down into the woods. You should see a blue blaze again 20 yds or so down it. When you get to the campground bridge, turn left and cross it, and in about 30 yds you'll see the sign on the right and trail up to the backcountry parking area. Did this hike a few weeks ago.

This hike can be done in two days (strenuous) or three (recommended).

Great campsites:
Long Branch Trail - field
Big Spring Shelter - Great camping spots across the other side of the trail from the shelter
Carter Gap shelter area
Standing Indian Peak - great place (there is water down obscure trail 20 yds south of where the Lower Ridge Trail and side trail to the summit converge with the AT).
Old Standing Indian shelter site (200 yds south of the new shelter) - right on a nice creek.

[papa john]

Send a pm to Marta. She was extremely helpful to me with directions at the bottom of Kimsey Creek, which is confusing. She's done this area numerous times.

This was my confusion. He was talking about where the trail crossed the USFS closer to the top. Where you have to walk over to the gate and then take off up to the right and back into the woods.

[kilarney1902]

thank you guys. you are awesome.

[daddytwosticks]

The beginning mile or so of the Kimsey Creek Trail is very confusing. But this loop is fantastic! Creeks, views, comfortable trails, no need for a shuttle, plenty of water, opportunities to bail out if needed, etc. One of my favorites. Planning on doing it again late May/early June next year.

[Ron Haven]

if you park in the back country lot and proceed 300ft or so turn left and cross the river.You will see a sign on the right where you turn into Kimsey Creek Trail.Hike oppx 1/10 of a mile and Park Creek Trail goes to the right and Kimsey to the left up the hill.It is marked well right there.Hike oppx 1/2 mile and you come into the first grassy field where you bear right in an old logging bed rd. oppx 300ft there is an unmarked blue blaze to the right which is Park Ridge Trail but Kimsey bears left across the creek on the wood bridge.

Go straight ahead on the left side of the creek in this same old forest service road bed oppx 3/4 mile and you will turn to the right into another grassy field by crossing the bridge and you will be back on the right side of Kimsey Creek.Cross the field and the trail leaves out of the field in the left corner.

Hike oppx 1 mile and you come out in a small gravel parking lot.To the right 25ft is forest service rd 71.If you turn left Deep Gap is oppx 1/3 mile,to the right 8 miles is US64.At this point Kimsey Creek Trail crosses that little parking lot to the left and as you are exiting the parking lot to the left is a little old forest service road bed with a steel gate.

After you pass the gate Kimsey Creek Trail turns right up the hill and is well marked with blue blazes.It is oppx 1/3 mile to Deep Gap.Total is 3.7 miles from Standing Indian to Deep Gap


Here is another option for Kimsey Creek & it is a short cut.
As you enter Standing Indian Camp Ground.Go to the second bridge but don't croos it.Instead turn right on the paved rd and go oppx 300ft.You will see a sign saying Kimsey Creek area.Go straight up by the picnic tables and that little trail crosses Kimsey Creek.Walk straight ahead oppx 400 ft and you come into the grassy field.Blue to the right is the loop around the campground I first gave instructions for.walk straight ahead and you will see the unmarksed blue blaze to the right which is Park Ridge Trail but you bear left across Kimsey Creek on the bridge.

Go straight ahead on the left side of the creek in this same old forest service road bed oppx 3/4 mile and you will turn to the right into another grassy field by crossing the bridge and you will be back on the right side of Kimsey Creek.Cross the field and the trail leaves out of the field in the left corner.

Hike oppx 1 mile and you come out in a small gravel parking lot.To the right 25ft is forest service rd 71.If you turn left Deep Gap is oppx 1/3 mile,to the right 8 miles is US64.At this point Kimsey Creek Trail crosses that little parking lot to the left and as you are exiting the parking lot to the left is a little old forest service road bed with a steel gate.

After you pass the gate Kimsey Creek Trail turns right up the hill and is well marked with blue blazes.It is oppx 1/3 mile to Deep Gap. Total is about 2.9 miles from Standing Indian Camp Ground to Deep Gap.

From Deep Gap look to the left of the parking lot and you will see the Kimsey Creek Trail sighn and blue blazes.Go oppx to you see a steel gate on your left and walk past it into a small gravel parking lot.As you are walking straight you are aproaching forest service rd 71.Oppx 25 ft before the rd you will see an old grown up trail turning right down by some plum trees.After you walk 50ft you will start seeing blue blazes again.

Hike oppx 1 mile and you will go to the left into a grassy field.Across the field you will cross a bridge and turn left down an old forest service rd bed.You will see a sign saying campground 2 miles but it isn't but one unless you bear left on the campground loop.Follow that old forest service rd bed all the way into the campground. To get out or the campground bear left back to Forest service service 67.

I hope this helps any of you in every way.Don't let this trail scare you because it isn't marked as well as I think it should be but it is the most beautiful trail in the Standing Indian Loop and was once upon a time a part of the A T and connected to the Water Oak Gap Trail which makes it only oppx 6 miles from Muscrat Creek Shelter to Standing Indian Campground.If anyone else needs info on this trail you can e mail me [email protected] enjoy.

[kilarney1902]

i guess now my question is, how do i get to standing indian campground/ backcountry parking lot? I will be heading there from N. GA, i assume that i will go through clayton (heading north on 441) what is the best way from there? google directions seem a tad flaky, so help me out. also what are any issues with parking fees permits etc.

[papa john]

I usually go up through Hiawassee and then east on Hwy 64. Travel for a number of miles and look for Old US 64 heading to Wallace Gap. At the Gap turn right and towards the campground, go straight to the b/c parking area. Last time I was there it was free to park and secure.

You can also get there from Franklin, just go west on Hwy 64.

[KG4FAM]

Go to Franklin, take hwy 64 west, after the turnoff for Wayah Bald on the right start looking for Old Murphy Rd on the left, go down the road and you will see the big sign for the campground.

[Summit]

Check out post # 20 here:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ian#post646467

Search "Standing Indian" as there are lots of threads with more detail on this area.

[Ron Haven]

i guess now my question is, how do i get to standing indian campground/ backcountry parking lot? I will be heading there from N. GA, i assume that i will go through clayton (heading north on 441) what is the best way from there? google directions seem a tad flaky, so help me out. also what are any issues with parking fees permits etc.

No it is free to park in the back country info center or at Rock Gap parking lot.If you turn into the campground and stop at the checkin there is a parking lot on the left but there is a fee.

Here is something for you folks coming thru Clayton,Ga to check out sometime.On 441 four miles north of the Ga/NC state line turn left onto Coweeta Lab Road.Go 3 miles and the pavement will end becoming FS83.

Keep on this rd 7 miles as you will pass Pickins Nose Notch Trail and cross the A T at Mooney Gap.When the road ends it will be FS67,If you turn right it will be 2 miles to Mt Albert and Bear Pen Gap.At the end of FS83 you turn left it is 6 miles to Standing Indian Campground.All this is marked very good.

On FS67 you can access Betty Creek Trail,Mooney Falls Trail,Timber Ridge Trail,Laural Falls Trail,Beech Gap Trail,Lower side of Bear Pen Trail,Blackwell Gap Trail,Hurricane Creek Trail,Long Branch Trail and as the road turns back to pavement again the back country parking is on your left where you can access Standing Indian Campground and get to the Low Ridge Trail and the trails on Kimsey Creek.Straight ahead is Rock Gap and the roads end into old 64 at Wallace Gap.

I hope I didn't go over board putting this much info but if anyone is wondering about any of these trails here is how to get to them.

[kilarney1902]

Ron, that is some awesome info. i never knew there were so many trails in that area. i like knowing areas really well, and i know just about all of the side trails and access possibilities for the GA AT. this really helps with the bottom half of NC.

[Summit]

I hope I didn't go over board putting this much info but if anyone is wondering about any of these trails here is how to get to them.

Nobody knows that area better than you do Ron, and thanks for the shuttle to Dick's Creek a year ago this month.