Create my Linville Gorge 4-5 day loop

**ikemouser** · 06-07-2010, 22:08

Unfortunately my only chance to hike is the heat of july, im looking at getting some of those omni-shield wide brim sun reflecting hats.

**slowhike** · 06-07-2010, 22:15

I understand. You take advantage of the opportunities you get & do the best you can w/ them.
Sometimes there's a breeze on top & sometimes there's not. Maybe spending more time exploring down along the river might be better. There are plenty of places to play in the water & several nice swimming holes.

**mtncmpr** · 06-07-2010, 22:40

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If you're in need of a shuttle, Shannon (aka moonshine) has let it be known if he is available, he can work something out. He lives on the Northern edge of LG (iirc). I haven't seen him on the forums (Ken's site) lately, so I'd try to get up with him early on in the planning stages (he's out a lot, hiking).

This is the latest info I have on him:
Shannon (moonshine)
330-465-3741
[email protected]

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**ikemouser** · 06-07-2010, 22:42

Originally Posted by Shug

Don't think in miles on a Gorge trip. They don't matter and they are "as the crow flies".
Do the loop from Spence Ridge Trailhead ...make sure to take the little Table Rock trail for some up-hill fun .... continue south past Table rock on down all the way across Short-off Mountain. Cross river and head up Mountain to Sea trail. Options here: continue on up to Spence Bridge and head back up to trailhead and walk to Hawksbill. Or ..... after river crossing go 3 miles to Pinchin ....climb that to top .... head north on road a wee bit and take Rock Jock trail. I highly recommend the rock Jock. Hickery and I camped up there in a big thunder storm. There is a site between two rock cairns we made up there just past Razor Edge rock if coming from the south. Awesome spot. Two guys can find hang spots if your crafty. You will end up at Conely Cove. Go down Conely Cove Trail and go north. Don't miss Cathederal Falls. Steep short trail down to river. Hang spots there. Be careful of rising river if wet weather.
****Cross or pass Spence Bridge and head up to Babel tower. Double back. Go back up Spence Ridge Trail to trailhead. Lick wounds.
You will have a terrific time no matter where you go!!!!!!
The Gorge awaits you ikemouser. It told me so.

Shug

thanks for all the ideas Shug! Say do u know where the rock is near bable (i think) its a rock you can jump off into the river on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU3lMb4awgU

**mtncmpr** · 06-07-2010, 23:06

Originally Posted by ikemouser

thanks for all the ideas Shug! Say do u know where the rock is near bable (i think) its a rock you can jump off into the river on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU3lMb4awgU

I'd be mighty cautious about jumping in off the boulders into the river. LGR is FULL of boulders (all sizes) and lots are under the surface. The river can be moving pretty quickly and you could get pulled under and caught up. But if you check out each spot closely, you can have some good times. Just be extra careful. Remember, if you get injured while along the river, odds are you (or someone) will have to get to the top of the gorge to send for help. (Don't mean to make it sound harsh, but it is a hard place if you should become injured.)

**slowhike** · 06-07-2010, 23:11

Very true mtncmpr. Before I would jump off a rock, I would first swim in that water, dive, feel, check it out, so I knew for "sure" if there were any logs, rocks, etc that I might hit if I jumped from that height.

**MacEntyre** · 06-08-2010, 03:59

Here is a video from 1992 of people jumping into the Linville River at the falls.
Especially after the 7 minute mark, it's amazing that no one is killed!

Kayaking near Babel Tower is fun to watch!

**ikemouser** · 06-08-2010, 06:19

Originally Posted by mtncmpr

I'd be mighty cautious about jumping in off the boulders into the river. LGR is FULL of boulders (all sizes) and lots are under the surface. The river can be moving pretty quickly and you could get pulled under and caught up. But if you check out each spot closely, you can have some good times. Just be extra careful. Remember, if you get injured while along the river, odds are you (or someone) will have to get to the top of the gorge to send for help. (Don't mean to make it sound harsh, but it is a hard place if you should become injured.)

Just the kind of place i prefer, wilderness. thanks

**ikemouser** · 06-08-2010, 06:46

does anyone know what the highest point in the gorge is?

Are trails marked in the gorge? How often will i see a sign? I know I will get lost a few times, seems a given in previous wilderness areas i've been to as trails are poorly marked.

**MacEntyre** · 06-08-2010, 07:04

Originally Posted by ikemouser

does anyone know what the highest point in the gorge is?

Table Rock Mountain is 3930'. Gingercake Mountain is 4,120'. Linville River in the bottom of the gorge is at about 1300 feet.

Originally Posted by ikemouser

Are trails marked in the gorge?

Most are well used and easy to follow... some are not. The MST on Shortoff Mountain is very difficult to follow in some places, and that area is extremely tough to bushwack. If you read the reports from Tinker's loop, there were at least two instances where folks had to bushwack to find the trail. IIRC, those places were the MST at the south end of Shortoff, the Leadmine Trail, and the south end of the Linville River Trail.

You probably won't have any trouble with the trails on the west side, from Conley Cove north, or with the Spence Trail on the east side.

Originally Posted by ikemouser

How often will i see a sign?

Shug pointed out one in his video... there's one at the cutback where Spence diverges from the wide road in the woods from the parking lot, and another at the bottom of Conley Cove. Not a common sight at all!

However, the topography is not hard to follow.

You need to review LinvilleGroge.net for the best information.

BTW, there be ticks in the Gorge in July! I found two on me last weekend.