July 19, 2011
| This week’s hike started at Standing Indian Campground near Franklin, NC. We Hiked the Kimsey Creek Trail to Deep Gap. Almost 8 miles round trip.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Martha Hunt, Dick Metzgar, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock and Carole Wintle. 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. Total hiking distance today -Approximately 8 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 parking lot is on the left just across from the campground store and permit station. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and warm with temperatures ranging from 69 to 75 degrees F. Hiking distance almost 8 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Daisy Fleabane, White Baneberry, Phlox, Heal-All, White Woods Aster, Peruvian Daisy, Black Cohosh, White Snakeroot, Spotted Jewelweed, Indian Pipe, Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid, Joe Pye Weed, White Bee Balm, Red Bee Balm, White Yarrow, Meadow Rue, Stinging Nettles, Black-eyed Susan, Rosebay Rhododendron, Yellow Wood Sorrell, Ramps, Buttercups, Purple-flowering Raspberry, Sourwood. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Cardinal, Black and White Warbler, Tufted Titmouse, Chipping Sparrow, Junco, Nuthatch. OTHER FAUNA: Chipmunk, Salamander |
 Parking near the campground store. |
 Many nice trail options today! |
 Crossing the bridge we see the upper headwaters of the mighty Nantahala River. |
 We walk through a portion of the Standing Indian Campground. |
 Another great day for a hike on the Kimsey Creek Trail! |
 We have many great views of Kimsey Creek all along the trail. |
 There are several foot-bridges across Kimsey Creek. |
 Fungi of the week! |
 Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) |
 This part of the trail is solid rock on a slope! |
 Beautiful cold water gushing between boulders makes a very pleasant sound! |
 White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) |
 Lunchtime at Standing Indian Campground! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Phil Brownrigg, Don Preece, Vic Robson, Carole Wintle, Bill Hunt, Dick Metzgar, Martha Hunt, Dave Hinson, Pom Sinnock, Lynne Saporito, Donna Presley and Pam Euliss. |
VIDEO FROM TODAY’S HIKE!