7/27/2010 Kimsey Creek Trail – Standing Indian Campground, NC

HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Jack Jacobi, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Pom Sinnock .

TRAIL INFO. – The Standing Indian Campground area offers lots of hiking opportunities. The Kimsey Creek Trail is a very beautiful walk alongside Kimsey Creek and it leads to the Appalachian Trail at Deep Gap. The Laurel Falls Trail is nearby on F.S. Road 67 and is a .6 mile walk up to beautiful Big Laurel Falls. During a summertime heat wave, this area offers cooler temperatures.

Total hiking distance today – 7.2 miles with only a few moderate hills. We rate it an easy hike.

Directions: Take US 64 west from Franklin approximately 12 miles passing thru Winding Stair Gap. Near the bottom of the mountain from the gap, you will turn left on West Old Murphy Road (SR 1448). There is a directional sign for the campground there. Go 1.9 miles and turn right on Forest Development Road 67 at the Standing Indian Campgound sign. This is a paved road. Go 1.7 miles and turn right into Standing Indian Campgound. The Laurel Falls Trail is on F.S. Road 67. As you get to the entrance to Standing Indian Campground, take the left fork and drive around 5 miles to the Laurel Falls Trail sign.

Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and warm with temperatures ranging from 68 to 74 degrees F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Thimbleweed, Philadelphia Fleabane, Daisy Fleabane, Heal All, White Woods Aster, White Snakeroot, Spotted Jewelweed, Pale Jewelweed, Indian Pipe, Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid, Joe Pye Weed, Northern Agriculum, Bergamot, Bee Balm, White Yarrow, Meadow Rue, Tall Meadow Rue,Stinging Nettles, Yellow Wood Sorrell, Rosebay Rhododendrun, Sourwood and Summersweet, Yellow Fringed Orchid and Turk’s Cap Lily.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Cardinal, Chipping Sparrow, Junco, Nuthatch.