Trace Ridge - Member Hike

Hike Name: Trace Ridge
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Nearby Town: Mills River
Rating: 3 stars
Directions: Hwy. 280 South approx. 2 miles past the Asheville Airport from I-26. Turn right onto N. Mills River Rd. Go about 4 1/2 miles to the Campground. Either park there or turn right and follow FS Road 479 for 3 miles (gravel) to Wash Creek Rd. on the left. Follow it to the end (about 1/2 mi.) to be at Trace Ridge Trail Parking Area.
Total Hike Distance: 25.00 miles
Hike Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Permit Required: No
Hike Type: Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Starts/Ends: The "Never Ending Rd."
Trails Used: Trace Ridge Trail, Bear Creek, Wash Creek and Big Creek Trails.
Backcountry Campsites: Yes
Backcountry Water Sources: Streams, Rivers, Springs
Management: State Park Service
Contact Information: Unknown
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Users: Hikers, Bikers, Dogs, Horses
Road Conditions: Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads, Unmaintained Gravel or Dirt Roads
Hike Summary: There are about 8-12 good trails in this area. All but a couple are marked with signs/colors. Even if you aren't into serious singletrack riding, you can still enjoy an afternoon here. The "Never Ending Rd." is a very popular route for beginners and those wanting to connect to other remote trails in the area. Approx. 5 miles out it will allow you to turn down Spencer Branch Tr., and another mile out Never Ending Rd. will let you exit off onto Flether Creek Tr., and still another mile out Never Ending Rd. will allow access to Middle Fork Tr. all of which intersect about 1 mile away. Then you have a couple of choices back to the parking lot. Both of these trail choices end up near the old Hendersonville Reservoir. Other trails in the area include the "Brutal" Trace Ridge Trail, Bear Creek, Wash Creek and Big Creek Trails.


Trace Ridge is definitely my favorite as you intertwine with the river cris-crossing it about 12 times. Our water dogs loved the trip as did we. Make sure to take a map as it can be easy to get lost.

Hiker:

Found-2-Gether

750 points


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