Tanawa Trail - 6.5 miles

Sunday, August 12, 2007. We three hiked the Tanawa Trail 6.5 miles from Beacon Heights to about 15 minutes past the Wilson Creek overlook. Cloudy and cooler up near Grandfather Mountain but also very humid. Very few people on the trail but, sadly, the trail never ventures more than a few yards from the parkway so there is lots of road noise.

Very scenic trail, despite the traffic noise. Beautiful fauna and many grand rock outcroppings.

Maple Camp Bald Backpacking Trip

Saturday, August 4, 2007
11:30 AM. Parked at Buncombe Horse Trail trail head on Colbert Creek Road. 2800'
6:30 PM. Arrived Maple Camp Bald. 5613'.

Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Change: 2813'

Sunday, August 5, 2007
9:15 AM. Left Maple Camp Bald. 5613'
11:00 AM. Arrive Black Mountain Crest Trail at north slope of Big Tom. 6000'

Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Change: 400'.

Crossed Balsam Cone 6600'
Crossed Cattail Peak 6600'
Crossed Potato Hill 6440'

1:30 PM Arrived at Deep Gap 6000'

Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation change ~1000'

1:50 Left Deep Gap heading north to Colbert Ridge Crest Trail approx .25 miles.

2:00 PM Begin Descent down Colbert Ridge Crest Trail. 6000'
5:55 PM Arrived at trail head on Colbert Creek Road.

Distance: 3.7 miles.
Elevation Change: 3200'

TOTALS
Distance: 12.8 miles
Elevation Change: ~7400 up and down


Great trip. Luke was awesome. He lead most of the way. Got rained on twice during the Colbert Ridge descent. Slow going. Very steep at the top.

NOTE: Buncombe Horse Trail head..after 20-30 mins you come to a major fork. Take the LEFT fork!! After crossing Middle Creek, you eventually emerge in a small meadow. Take the first trail on the right to continue to Maple Camp Bald. Trail below Maple Camp Bald was VERY overgrown with blueberries and blackberries. Be prepared to bushwhack (and feast on ripe berries).
We did this as a loop. Parked at trail head for Buncombe Horse Trail. Emerged at trail head for Colbert Ridge. I walked back to the car (.6 miles) and then picked up Lisa and Luke.

My ankle did ok. I did have some pain during the climb on Saturday. I started Sunday with two Aleve and felt fine most of the day. Was a bit foot sore the last hour or so Sunday. Overall the ankle held up rather well.