South Mills River, Wolf Ford, High Falls,Squirrel Gap, old trail


Hike Number: 104

Area Location: Pisgah Ranger District, WC100

Trailhead Location: Gauging station

Trailend Location: same

Hike Type: Loop

Hiking Distance (miles): 7.3

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Range: 3,150 / 3,450

Total Elevation Gain: 0,900

Total Elevation Descent: 0,900

Route Map: .\Hiking\Maps\0104.pdf

Route Profile: .\Hiking\profiles\0104.pdf

Download GPX track: .\hiking\Download\0104.gpx

Trail Description: Take South Mills River Trail to Wolf Ford; turn left on side trail to High Falls. Return to Wolf Ford, cross river and take Squirrel Gap to Rigby cutoff. Left through open woods to right onto South Mills River Trail to parking lot. See map.Rigby Cutoff for hardcore bushwhack hikers now (5-28-10).

Topos: Shining Rock

Special Features: P-400

Flower Season: Early April

DriveHead: Westgate Shopping Center

2nd Meeting Place: Pink Beds Parking Lot

Driving Distance(Miles-RT): 60

Driving Directions: I-26 E to NC 191 S to BRP south; US 276 E to left onto FS 1206; left onto Wolf Ford Rd. to parking lot; if BRP is closed, take NC 280 to US 276 W to right onto Wolf Ford Rd.

Notes: moderate woods hike with small elevation change; one stream crossing that will probably be a wet crossing. 5-26-10: Rigby Cutoff is no longe a nice walk in the woods. More than half of the trail is obscured by growth and fallen branches. Cant recommend.

Hike History: A0401, W0801 cancelled, W0802, A1001 (cancelled)