Standing Indian Circuit
Hike Number: 214
Area Location: Nantahala National Forest, Appalachian Trail
Trailhead Location: Standing Indian backcountry info center
Trailend Location: same
Hike Type: Loop
Hiking Distance (miles): 11.1
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Range: 3,400 / 5,498
Total Elevation Gain: 2,500
Total Elevation Descent: 2,500
Route Map: .\Hiking\Maps\0214.pdf
Route Profile: .\Hiking\Profiles\0214.pdf
Download GPX track: .\Hiking\Download\0214.gpx
Trail Description: Go up Kimsey Creek trail to Deep Gap; turn left (north) on AT to Standing Indian Mtn., then down (left) on the Lower Ridge Trail to the Standing Indian Campground. At road in campground, cross bridge, the go right on blue blaze trail.2 Follow signs to Kimsey Creek Trail. On return, when Lower Ridge Trail ends at road, turn left, cross bridge, then turn right to continue on trail alongside creek.
Topos: Rainbow Springs
Special Features: Mountain Views, Wild Flowers
Flower Season: May
DriveHead: Westgate Shopping Center
2nd Meeting Place: Waynesville Rest Stop on US 25-74
Driving Distance(Miles-RT): 172
Driving Directions: I-26 E to I-40 W to US 23 S (watch for turn); go straight, it becomes US 64 W; left onto Old Murphy Rd. just past Winding Stair Gap; rt.to Standing Indian Backcountry Information Center (go straight, not into campground]
Notes: 1 Beautiful forest, hiking alongside rushing stream. Standing Indian Mtn. has great views at 5498 ft. It is the highest Mtn on the AT south of the Great Smoky Mtns. 55 different kinds of wildflowers were seen on 5-03 hike.
Hike History: A0302, A0102, A0502, A0802, AW0903