Turkey Pen Roller Coaster


Hike Number: 56

Area Location: Turkey Pen, Pisgah Ranger District

Trailhead Location: Turkey Pen Parking Lot

Trailend Location: Pisgah Maintenance Parking Lot

Hike Type: Car Shuttle

Hiking Distance (miles): 9.4

Difficulty: Difficult

Elevation Range: 2,157 / 4,123

Total Elevation Gain: 3,206

Total Elevation Descent: 3,680

Route Map: \Hiking\Maps\0056.pdf

Route Profile: .\Hiking\Profiles\0056.pdf

Download GPX track: .\Hiking\Download\0056.gpx

Trail Description: Start at Turkey Pen parking area, climb over Sharpy Mountain; along the ridge and almost to the top of Black Mountain. Then descend on Black Mtn. Trail to the Pisgah Ranger District Maintenance area..

Topos: Pisgah Forest

Special Features: Mountain View

DriveHead: Westgate Shopping Center

2nd Meeting Place: Turkey Pen Parking Lot

Driving Distance(Miles-RT): 60

Driving Directions: I-26 E to exit 40. NC 280 S to Transylvania County Line; right on Turkey Pen Rd. to end. For car shuttle, return to NC 280 S, then right onto US 276 1 mile to Pisgah Maintenance area parking lot on right.

Notes: Good winter hike. Many steep ups-and-downs along the first half of the hike. Caution: Many fast downhill mountain bikers on Black Mtn. Trail.

Hike History: A0501, A0701, W0801, A0901