Laurel River Trail, Hot Springs

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
12/4/2021	7.9 miles	3 hours 28 minutes	226'	2.7 mph	517.5

Parking: N35.912774, W82.756868

Maps:

• 100 Favorite Trails of the Smokies and the Carolina Blue Ridge (for directions)
• National Geographic French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers Map

Directions:

• See 100 Favorite Trails map

Carolina Mountain Club Challenges:

• 100 Favorite Trails #43

We had planned a section on the AT today, but when we got to the first trailhead, there was no parking left. Ack. We might have to retry that AT section on a weekday, as there is only room for 2-3 cars. Luckily I had this hike in the back of my mind as a backup. I've done this hike before with the CMC, but Glen was out of town, so he missed this hike. This is an easy hike on the way to Hot Springs. This hike follows Laurel Creek, then crosses over a railroad track, and ends where Laurel Creek flows into the French Broad River.

This hike is very flat! It reminds me a bit of walking on the C&O canal in Maryland. At some points the footing is rocky, so I did have to stare at the ground a lot. This trail is popular, so we did see a lot of people and dogs on it. The river is beautiful, with frequent cascades. We stopped for lunch where the creek meets the French Broad River. The French Broad is kind of muddy looking in Asheville, and I've heard can at times get high levels of e. coli. We were upstream of Asheville, so hopefully it is cleaner here. We let Krumm swim on the edge of the river. The river was calm here, so a safe spot. He has done a lot more wading than swimming, but today he swam, and did really well. Beautiful weather today - temperatures in the upper 60's, hiking in a short sleeve shirt.