View Full Version : 3 day loop w/o water crossings in NC/SC?
g8trh8tr
12-24-2008, 10:53
Merry Xmas all. My son and I are trying to get out over the holidays for a hike. I am looking for a 3 day 30-40 mile loop hike in NC or SC area. I was looking at the Pisgah loop(33.5 miles) but do not want to deal with any river crossings if I can avoid them. Any input would be appreciated.
The Fires Creek Rim Trail is 25.5 miles, and is a GREAT 3 day hike. It's located in the Tusquittee Ranger District of the Nantahala NF. The area is connected tothe AT by the Chunky Gal Trail. Marta (also from Charlotte, NC) has hiked it (2 days), and Generoll has hiked part of it. It's a bit rough in places, and you'll need the guide written by John Ray. The guide is sold at REI. Suggest you PM Marta for info.
Here's my trip report from a few years ago;
http://americanhiking.chattablogs.com/archives/042077.html
Bulldawg
12-24-2008, 13:06
The Standing Indian Loop is a good old stand by. Start at the Standing Indian Campground, make the loop back to the campground. Shy of 30 miles I think and nice hiking in the Nantahalas.
Merry Xmas all. My son and I are trying to get out over the holidays for a hike. I am looking for a 3 day 30-40 mile loop hike in NC or SC area. I was looking at the Pisgah loop(33.5 miles) but do not want to deal with any river crossings if I can avoid them. Any input would be appreciated.
Massie Gap in Grayson is about 134 mi. from Char.-2.5 hrs or less. Many loops here. You would need a map. Damascus aka Mocks Mill, is a little over 30 miles from Massie; a shuttle is probably available in Dam. this time of year. Lone Wolf provides them if he is available. There may be a crowd here even in the winter. Bring a shovel just in case.
I am doing a 15 mile loop this weekend in the Congaree national monument below Columbia S.C. If you have never hiked in an old growth floodplain forest with trees the size of small mountains then you should try it out. It is unbelievably beautiful!
Go hike a loop in the GSMNP. I used the Balsam Mountain Trail & the Hughes Ridge Trail with the AT & BMT Memorial Day and enjoyed it. Hiking in from Smokemont camp ground makes it ~40 miles. It includes ridges, creeks, forests, and valleys. All the stream crossings have bridges. I really like campsite #47. See links below. Thanks to Ed Wright for the pics.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mtleconte.com/JFRFL005.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.mtleconte.com/JFRFL.htm&usg=__xZEqegDRRD5WnLxDj8426Q1mpMU=&h=427&w=640&sz=99&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=EQSwLLgtp4-_iM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Draven%2Bfork%2Bcreek%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3 Den%26sa%3DG
http://www.mtleconte.com/JFRFL005.JPG