2013 Updates to the Mountains to Sea Trail

[Tennessee Viking]

Lots of stuff is happening all across North Carolina on the Mountains to Sea Trail.

In the mountains,
- A proposal is being laid out for two routes leading out of the Smokies to Plott Balsams/Waynesville area. One route will lead out of Deep Creek and follow the Tuskasegee River to Pinnacle Park/Waterrock Knob. The other, is a route by the Carolina Mtn Club, using a section of trail established from Soco Gap to Heintooga Ridge Road which will hopefully connect to the Smoky's trail.
- NPS has agreed on a proposal to establish dispersed camping from Beacon Heights to Devil's Garden Overlook. The site use will possibly be by permit only. And monitored by NPS, local trail crews, and volunteers.

On the Piedmont,
- Elkin Valley Trail Association has been crazy into building a new trail corridor from Stone Mtn SP to Elkin, and hopefully toward the Pilot Mtn SP area.
- Lots of trail building along the Haw River
- There is now a long stretch of continuous trail of natural tred and paved greenway from Eno River SP to Clayton (only a small section awaiting a bridge project near US401).
- An official greenway/road route has been designated from Clayton/Smithfield to Howell Woods to maneuver through Johnston County.

In the Coastal Plain,
- The FMST is hoping to route the trail into the Bladen Lakes area to feature NC's natural bay lakes. And then move toward the coast via some of North Carolina coastal plain preserves and natural habitats before rejoining its existing route in the Croatan/Outer Banks.

[V Eight]

Hey, thanks for the up date. Can you tell me on Friends of MST interactive map, which color is trail?

What is the longest primarily section(s) of off road trail?

Thanks

[Grits]

Hey, thanks for the up date. Can you tell me on Friends of MST interactive map, which color is trail?

What is the longest primarily section(s) of off road trail?

Thanks

Section 11 going east bound from Hwy 221 at Woodlawn through Linville Gorge to Ripshin Ridge Hwy 181 is 36.02 miles and if you tie section 12 From Ripshin Ridge to Beacon Heights (BlueRidge Parkway) add 24.22 miles. Check out Taba's thru hiker manual gives great info. You can add section 13 from Beacon Heights to Blowing Rock and add 25.67 miles and only cross two roads. Reroutes are almost completed along the Boone's Fork Loop/MST in section 13. Water levels are high now and there are lots of water crossings in section 11 and 12. http://www.wbtv.com/story/22432013/camper-drowns-in-steele-creek-in-burke-county

[Tennessee Viking]

Hey, thanks for the up date. Can you tell me on Friends of MST interactive map, which color is trail?

What is the longest primarily section(s) of off road trail?

Thanks

Red is trail tread and black is road route.

Longest primarliy section of trail. Funny question. Some of the trail is in sight of the parkway, or follows the parkway shoulder along short distances over bridges, narrow corridors, or around fragile areas; usually 0.5 mile walks. Or uses forest or dirt roads to connect trail systems. But the longest stretch of trail length without any extensive road walks is Balsam Gap near Waynesville to Stone Mtn State Park.

If you want the absolute backcountry experience with minimal civilization, you may want to try Folk Art Center/Craggy Gardens near Asheville to Beacon Heights or Blowing rock. Only a handful of major road crossings. Other than Woodlawn Park area, its one of the most extensive backcountry sections in the area.

Or Balsam Gap near Waynesville to NC 181-Asheville, the only thing you pass by is Pisgah Inn.

With the Piedmont, you can now walk from the Durham/Orange county line to Clayton on natural trail and greenway. Requires walk over causeways/bridges and crossing a few major roads.