Video: Three Days in the Gorge - May 2016

**prelohded** · 05-30-2016, 11:17

Had a chance to get back out in the Linville Gorge before the Memorial Day Weekend crowd arrived. Made some new friends and was harassed by Whip-poor-wills non stop.

**TrailSlug** · 05-30-2016, 12:58

Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to do this and share. A couple of questions if I may. How many miles did you do that first day? What kind of elevation changes are there from the valley to the ridge lines on the trails you hiked?

**Tacoma96** · 05-30-2016, 20:47

Great video. I have camped there but have done no hiking, thanks for sharing the video with us.

**prelohded** · 05-31-2016, 07:17

I don't have the exact data, I had done these trails previously so I didn't bring my GPS (regrettably now) that usually logs all of that information. The Gorge is extremely rugged and it is said that distance there is measured in hours not miles - it is very true. I think the trip total was somewhere between 12 - 14 miles, but it felt more like 25. Here is a rough but not exact breakdown based on trail data and my topo map.

Day 1
Pinchin to LGT 1.3 mi (1700ft descent)
LGT to Leadmine 3 mi (no major elevation change)
Leadmine to MST 1 mi (500ft total ascent, lots of 200 - 300 ft up and down)
MST to River Crossing Camp 2 miles (300ft descent)

Day 2
MST to Olsen 1.5 mi (900 ft ascent)
Olsen to Rockpeak 2.5 mi (500 ft ascent)
Rockpeak to Saddlecamp 1 mi (500 ft descent)

Day 3
Saddlecamp to Chimneys 1.2 mi (950 ft ascent)
Chimneys to TableRock less than 1 mi (no major elevation change)

**TrailSlug** · 05-31-2016, 08:25

Originally Posted by prelohded

I don't have the exact data, I had done these trails previously so I didn't bring my GPS (regrettably now) that usually logs all of that information. The Gorge is extremely rugged and it is said that distance there is measured in hours not miles - it is very true. I think the trip total was somewhere between 12 - 14 miles, but it felt more like 25. Here is a rough but not exact breakdown based on trail data and my topo map.

Day 1
Pinchin to LGT 1.3 mi (1700ft descent)
LGT to Leadmine 3 mi (no major elevation change)
Leadmine to MST 1 mi (500ft total ascent, lots of 200 - 300 ft up and down)
MST to River Crossing Camp 2 miles (300ft descent)

Day 2
MST to Olsen 1.5 mi (900 ft ascent)
Olsen to Rockpeak 2.5 mi (500 ft ascent)
Rockpeak to Saddlecamp 1 mi (500 ft descent)

Day 3
Saddlecamp to Chimneys 1.2 mi (950 ft ascent)
Chimneys to TableRock less than 1 mi (no major elevation change)

Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for.

**Shug** · 05-31-2016, 08:28

The Linville Gorge is quite rough. And beautiful.
It can be quite cruel. Yet at the same time bring gasps of joy to you.
That is why I continue to go back again and again. Though many have backpacked it only once never to return.
The Gorge can and will have it's way with you.
Shug

**prelohded** · 05-31-2016, 09:07

Originally Posted by Shug

The Linville Gorge is quite rough. And beautiful.
It can be quite cruel. Yet at the same time bring gasps of joy to you.
That is why I continue to go back again and again. Though many have backpacked it only once never to return.
The Gorge can and will have it's way with you.
Shug

So true. There were a lot of Shug-isms being quoted during this trip. We were trying to remember what video it was where you mention how annoying the whip-poor-wills can be.

**Shug** · 05-31-2016, 09:19

Originally Posted by prelohded

So true. There were a lot of Shug-isms being quoted during this trip. We were trying to remember what video it was where you mention how annoying the whip-poor-wills can be.

This video.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4hj...p6uNt&index=12 at around 13 minutes! Whooperwill Torture.

**Jkreese** · 05-31-2016, 09:33

Until this trip, I've only heard the Whippoorwills. It was crazy actually getting to see it's little glowing eyes in the woods and walking up to it. I agree Shug, they can be relentless. I guess they don't have to breathe.