| Date | Distance | Time | Elevation Gain | Average Moving Time | Year to Date Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/5/2021 | 8.1 miles | 5 hours 30 minutes | 2,083' | 1.7 mph | 157 |
Gaia and National Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
Parking:
Parking:
Forest Service Road 1206
Directions: Head north on Thompson Creek Trail. Turn left at intersection with Pilot Rock trail. Climb up Little Bald Mountain, and down to the Mountain to Sea Trail. Turn around, and take the Pilot Rock trail all the way down to Forest Service Road 1206. Turn right on the road and walk back to the parking area.
Today was supposed to be hot in Asheville, so we knew we needed to go up in elevation. I've been looking at some AT hikes, and given that we were tired from yesterday's hike, it didn't seem like a good idea, as many of them have significant climbs. Next I looked at doing 4 waterfalls in Rosman. But my Gaia wasn't working well, and my waterfall book is packed in some unknown box. So next, I just chose a random hike near yesterday's hike, because I knew the elevation would be high. I didn't research any more. We drove by the Pisgah Inn, and continued to the forest service road, which is 3.7 miles long and has significant potholes. We were planning on parking at the Grassy Lot Gap trailhead, but a gate was across the road before then. We considered just parking and adding an extra mile or two of road walk to our hike, but neither of us were excited by that. So we drove back, and parked at a parking area just past the Thompson Creek trail, and decided to do that instead. There is parking right across from the Thompson Creek trail, but a truck with a trailer was taking up most of the space.
Directions: Head north on Thompson Creek Trail. Turn left at intersection with Pilot Rock trail. Climb up Little Bald Mountain, and down to the Mountain to Sea Trail. Turn around, and take the Pilot Rock trail all the way down to Forest Service Road 1206. Turn right on the road and walk back to the parking area.
Today was supposed to be hot in Asheville, so we knew we needed to go up in elevation. I've been looking at some AT hikes, and given that we were tired from yesterday's hike, it didn't seem like a good idea, as many of them have significant climbs. Next I looked at doing 4 waterfalls in Rosman. But my Gaia wasn't working well, and my waterfall book is packed in some unknown box. So next, I just chose a random hike near yesterday's hike, because I knew the elevation would be high. I didn't research any more. We drove by the Pisgah Inn, and continued to the forest service road, which is 3.7 miles long and has significant potholes. We were planning on parking at the Grassy Lot Gap trailhead, but a gate was across the road before then. We considered just parking and adding an extra mile or two of road walk to our hike, but neither of us were excited by that. So we drove back, and parked at a parking area just past the Thompson Creek trail, and decided to do that instead. There is parking right across from the Thompson Creek trail, but a truck with a trailer was taking up most of the space.
We headed up the Thompson Creek trail. The trail goes uphill all the way to the end. At first the uphill was nice and steady. We were making 2 mph moving time. We were hot though, and needed to take some breaks. I had only brought 2 liters and was regretting it. Luckily the trail paralleled Thompson Creek, and had a few small water crossings. I was going through my water fast, and so we stopped at one crossing to drink up, and filter more water. I added Nunn to my water, because we were drenched in sweat. The climb was still okay until we got to the switchbacks. At this point the trail was much steeper (despite the switchbacks) and we were dragging. We got to Pilot Rock Trail, and decided we should climb higher to see Little Bald Mountain. There was a small view before the bald, and that was it. Nothing stunning. At that point we were so close to the Mountain to Sea Trail, we hiked up to it. On the way back, Glen suggested we take the Pilot Rock trail back to the forest service road, to form a loop. Perfect! That trail pretty much had no water sources (until the very end), but hiking downhill, we don't need as much water. Pilot Rock Trail had a nice level easy terrain section. Wait, is this trail much nicer? Nope. It became quite rocky. I just picked my way down carefully (still have PTSD about falling downhill). At the bottom of the trail, we turned right onto the gravel forest service road. On the left we passed a horse camp, but didn't see anyone there. We passed the gate across the road, and continued to our car.
On the way back, we stopped at the general store, next to the Pisgah Inn. Luckily it was open until 8pm! I picked up some potato chips, as I was craving salt from all of the sweating.
Oops, wasn't planning for this.
On the way back, we stopped at the general store, next to the Pisgah Inn. Luckily it was open until 8pm! I picked up some potato chips, as I was craving salt from all of the sweating.
Oops, wasn't planning for this.
Parking area before the Thompson Creek trailhead. There is a closer one.
Walking to the trail
All of the trails have numbers here.
Although Krummholz carries his own water, we took a short rest at every stream crossing.
Conopholis americana or squawroot, a parasitic plant
Another stream break
A happy bee. My photo is blurry from moisture on my camera lens - humidity?
Turning left on the Pilot Rock trail. At this point, we started seeing our first people on this hike - probably hiking down from the Pisgah Inn.
A view before the summit
A
Sign on the Mountain to Sea Trail.
A number of rhododendron tunnels today.
The Pilot Rock trail gets very rocky. We had 4 mountain bicyclists pass us.
A stream crossing, right before we reached the forest service road.
Taking a break.
The trail we just finished
Walking back to the car
I tried to look up what kind of butterfly this is, but couldn't find a match.
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