Lovers Leap Loop: Difference between revisions
(New page creation - based on research and actual experience) |
(It's Medium rating, instead of Moderate. GPSr track was not complete, so will need to try again on 10/29/2018) |
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| Marking = White/Orange Blazes | | Marking = White/Orange Blazes | ||
| Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} | | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} | ||
| Difficulty Rating = | | Difficulty Rating = Medium | ||
| Hike Time = 2 Hours | | Hike Time = 2 Hours | ||
| Round Trip Distance = 1.6 mi | | Round Trip Distance = 1.6 mi | ||
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== Trail Overview == | == Trail Overview == | ||
<!-- Enter overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. --> | <!-- Enter overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. --> | ||
Join two trail segments to create a loop hike to a rock outcropping above Hot Springs, NC. A short distance with a climb good for a couple hours of exercise. While within the Easy trail rating guidelines for this wiki, this loop hike upped to | Join two trail segments to create a loop hike to a rock outcropping above Hot Springs, NC. A short distance with a climb good for a couple hours of exercise. While within the Easy trail rating guidelines for this wiki, this loop hike upped to Medium because of the rapid rate of ascent during the first mile. | ||
== How to get there == | == How to get there == | ||
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<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]]. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. --> | <!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]]. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. --> | ||
[[Category:North Carolina]] [[Category:Overlook]] [[Category: | [[Category:North Carolina]] [[Category:Overlook]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] | ||
Revision as of 20:30, 3 September 2018
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Trail Overview
Join two trail segments to create a loop hike to a rock outcropping above Hot Springs, NC. A short distance with a climb good for a couple hours of exercise. While within the Easy trail rating guidelines for this wiki, this loop hike upped to Medium because of the rapid rate of ascent during the first mile.
How to get there
From Johnson City, TN
- Take I-26 south to Exit 43.
- Turn left to pass under the interstate, then right onto US-19W.
- After 1.1 mile, take slight right onto TN-352, then shortly pass again under I-26.
- After roughly 9 miles, continue into North Carolina where roadway becomes NC-212.
- After 14 miles, turn left onto NC-208.
- After 3.5 miles, turn right onto bridge for US-25/US-70. Note: Trailhead for Laurel River Trail is at the interchange.
- Just before the bridge into Hot Springs, take a right onto Silvermine Road.
- Then a left onto Silver Mine Road and pass under the highway bridge.
- Continue to the end of the road where the public A.T. parking lot (roughly 8 spaces) is located.
You’ll pass the NOC parking lot which is private except for the general public using the river.
Route Description
From the Silvermine parking lot, a counterclockwise loop (putting the steepness early and uphill) begins with a short road walk (passing by some shabby shacks) towards the river. At the bend in the road, the Appalachian Trail heads to the left following the French Broad River for 0.4 mile, then turns uphill. At 0.5 mile and 100' climb, the A.T. take a sharp switchback to the north. At 0.9 mile after a few more switchbacks and another roughly 500' total ascent the overlook is reached. Three rock outcroppings are in this area, with Lover's Leap being the middle one reached by a short, steep spur trail. Available views are of the French Broad River, valley and Hot Springs town. Be very careful walking at the edge due to loose rocks.
To make a loop, continue uphill past the third outcropping to take a left off the Appalachian Trail onto Lover's Leap Trail. (Currently essentially no blazing, thus could really use a refresh.) Descend Lover's Leap Trail roughly 375' in 0.3 mile on the back side of the mountain. At intersection with Pump Gap Trail take a left/west to continue 0.3 mile down to the Silver Mine Creek and the A.T. parking lot.
Typical Conditions
Appalachian Trail is well maintained by volunteers, but is a rocky path is places with steep drop-offs. Sturdy footwear and trekking poles are recommended. The Lover's Leap Trail is maintained by USFS staff. When this wiki page was written, a couple of hours had been spent on the latter trail heavily trimming the uphill rhododendron to allow hikers back into the middle of the path.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No parking fee at the A.T. lot. Make sure to lock vehicles and hide any valuables from sight.
After the Hike
Have lunch or dinner (depending on timing of your loop hike) in Hot Springs. Suggested are Spring Creek Tavern or Iron Horse Station.
Misc. Information
Some small camping spots were seen along the French Broad River, but also really close to the A.T. There are no further good camping places along this loop. There is a USFS group campground on Silver Mine Road which can be rented from the Pisgah NF/Appalachian Ranger District (brochure).
Maps
Photos
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