12/8/2015 The Appalachian Trail – Winding Stair Gap to Rock Gap Shelter – NC

Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail hiking from Winding Stair Gap to the Rock Gap Shelter and back in NC near Franklin.

HIKERS – Suzanne Belflower, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Joe Collins, Tim Hale, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson and Carole Wintle .

TRAIL INFORMATION – A beautiful section of the A.T. in NC mountains. The trail is in great shape and when hiked out and back it has a couple of long uphill climbs and a nice long flat section in the middle.

We rate the hike strenuous due to elevation changes but some very pleasant ridge walking for a nice long stretch in the middle.

Directions: From Franklin, NC, take Highway 64 West for about 10 miles and look for the parking lot on the left. (It is just beyond the large rock cliffs on each side of the road) You will see the Appalachian Trail sign.

Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and cool with temperatures ranging from 33 to 54 degrees F. Hiking distance – 7.9 miles.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: PILEATED WOODPECKER, JUNCO, NUTHATCH

Scroll down for photos

Information Map at Winding Stair Gap

The start of today’s hike

Headed southward toward Rock Gap

Since all of the leaves have fallen, we get mountain views all along the way.

Beautiful!

Carefully crossing a creek

Cloud hanging in the valley

Coming into Wallace Gap

Here we cross Old Highway 64.

Continuing to Rock Gap

The trail sign at Rock Gap

Lunchtime at the Rock Gap Shelter!

Car trouble back at the start!

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Bill Hunt, Joe Raguckas, Phil Brownrigg, Bob Magee, Mary Lu Norton, Joe Collins, Karen Brown, Carole Wintle, Vic Robson, Dave Norton, Suzanne Belflower, Tim Hale, June Bellamy and John Bellamy.