There is a spot on the AT where it nearly loops back on itself near Asheville. I hiked it 7 yrs ago and may again if I can find info. Anyone know what I am asking about
Thanks.
There is a spot on the AT where it nearly loops back on itself near Asheville. I hiked it 7 yrs ago and may again if I can find info. Anyone know what I am asking about
Thanks.
Here's the interactive map if you wanna study it a while. There's a lot of places where the trail twists and turns. And Asheville is far enough from the trail that it doesn't really help you zero in on an area.
[QUOTE=mulligan54;2299333]There is a spot on the AT where it nearly loops back on itself near Asheville. I hiked it 7 yrs ago and may again if I can find info. Anyone know what I am asking about
Not that close to Asheville, but the description matches the Standing Indian area west of Franklin, NC. The AT makes an 180 loop around a basin, and with numerous side trails there are opportunities for loop hikes lasting one to several days.
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Easy Strider
Section Hiker
M to S Trail is near Asheville, but not the AT. But the Standing Indian loop near Franklin is great.
The Kimsey Creek Trail makes a nice loop with the AT near Franklin, or a great shortcut for the non-purist.
Hot water, hot ramen, burning alcohol, all in my lap
Closer to Asheville, I walked north from Davenport Gap on the AT and looped back on a side trail to the west followed by a long road walk. I remember seeing possible campsites along the road before it lost much elevation. Sorry I do not remember more details.
Hot water, hot ramen, burning alcohol, all in my lap
The two big AT near loops in western NC are Standing Indian (as another posted above) and the Big Butt Mountain/Shelton Grave/Big Bald section. But only the former has a good network of other trails to create convenient loop possibilities.
I used part of the AT/old AT to loop back to Hot Springs from Hot Springs, and from there hitched to Asheville, but that's a day hike sort of thing. You also can use the mountain to sea to summit trail from Clingman's Dome and that runs right by Asheville to the point that one can hop a local bus to the city center.
Sams gap (Just north of Asheville) is a great starting point. Hike from there to Hot springs. Not a loop, but a really nice hike.