July 3, 2012
| This week’s hike started at Standing Indian Campground near Franklin, NC. We Hiked the Kimsey Creek Trail to Deep Gap on the Appalachian Trail. Approximately 8 miles round trip.
HIKERS – Rebecca Andrews, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Charlie Ingraham, Bob Magee, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson and Dan Ross. 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 78 degrees F. Hiking distance approximately 8 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Rosebay Rhododendron, Oxeye Daisy, Heal All, Stachys, Spotted Jewelweed, Pale Jewelweed, Red Bee Balm, White Yarrow, Yellow Wood Sorrel, Pipsissawa, Black Cohosh, Ramp, Mountain Hydrangea, Tall Bluet, Canada Violet, Purple Raspberry and Stinging Nettles. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Robin, Cardinal, Wood Thrush, Pine Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Veery, Black-Throated Blue Warbler, Black and White Warbler. |
 Starting out from Standing Indian Campground. |
 Crossing the bridge over the headwaters of the Nantahala River. |
 Lots of trail options to choose from. |
 We chose the Kimsey Creek Trail up to Deep Gap on the A.T. |
 The Rosebay Rhododendrons were all along the trail today in full bloom.. |
 Here we cross one of the grassy fields. |
 We passed by some nice patches of Red Bee Balm. |
 The trail follows closely along Kimsey Creek. |
 We cross several foot-bridges across creeks. |
 Another nice view along Kimsey Creek. |
 Fungus of the week! |
 Beautiful! |
 A tree on stilts! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Rebecca Andrews, Charlie Ingraham, Bob Magee, Phil Brownrigg, Bill Hunt, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Pam Euliss, Dan Ross, Tony Presley and Vic Robson. |