Green's Lick, Little Hickory Top, Sidehill Trail Loop, Bent Creek

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
1/7/2022	7.5 miles	3 hours 27 minutes	1,123'	2.4	33.2

Parking: 

• Bent Creek Gap Road at Laurel Branch Road, limited side of road parking   

Maps:

• Pisgah Map Co., Pisgah Ranger District

Directions:

• Take Laurel Branch Road (not open to cars)
• Turn left on Green's Lick Trail
• Turn right on North Boundary Road (not open to cars, really just a dirt trail)
• Turn right on Little Hickory Top Trail
• At Y intersection go straight/right on Sidehill Trail
• Continue straight on Laurel Branch Road

Carolina Mountain Club Challenges:

• #136 Little Hickory Top Trail (partial)
• #139 Green's Lick Road
• #145 Sidehill Trail

For today, we chose another Bent Creek hike, looking to do some trails we haven't been on (#139 & #145).  I originally planned a longer hike, but then realized we had already done another portion that I had planned. Gaiagps shows me my prior hikes. I've decided to start marking up my hiking map to show trails we've already done. It will make it easier to plan future hikes. Although there are some trails I like to hike again and again, I mostly like to hike new trails all the time.

We spent the day dodging mountain bikers. Luckily, Krumm doesn't try to chase them (some herding dogs do), though sometimes he'll whine after they pass - because his owners are too slow. We only saw one hiker on the trail, but dozens of bikers. This was a pleasant hike, with some nice winter views along North Boundary Road. I do own a road bike. I sort of think maybe I should trade it in for a bike that I can ride on gravel roads (no interest on riding on hiking trails).

Laurel Branch Road