NC area

[PBThompson]

Hi folks I am interested In coming east to NC area for a four day hike and hang suggestions

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[gfstanley]

Western NC: Shining Rock Wilderness (Art Loeb Trail), Linville Gorge, Pisgah National Forest, AT through Roan highlands, Smokey Mountains, sections of Mountain to Sea Trail

Central NC: Uwharrie NF

Eastern NC: ?

[gunner76]

Eastern NC is a no go at this time. Croatan NF is closed to hiking at this time.

[Philsweep]

Eastern NC is a no go at this time. Croatan NF is closed to hiking at this time.

I called the forest service about the Neusiok trail this past week, they gave me a time frame of 2 years to reopen. Hopefully that was bad information.

[PBThompson]

I guess I should specify that I am looking for seclusion. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[TallPaul]

Shining Rock is high ridges and beautiful. Plenty of loop opportunities. But it does require a bear canister.

Standing Indian area has some loops or you may be able to get a shuttle in Franklin and hike the AT.

The Roan Mountain area is also high balds. Shuttle opportunities with Mountain Harbor Bed and Breakfast. This would allow you to hike on the AT for 4 days.

Linville Gorge is wonderful. Definitely recommend low mileage days here - expect about 1 mph. Maps available on LinvilleGorge.net site. Nearby Wilson creek has a lot of waterfalls if you prefer that.

And of course loops in the Smokies.

What time of year is the trip?

[gunner76]

I called the forest service about the Neusiok trail this past week, they gave me a time frame of 2 years to reopen. Hopefully that was bad information.

That is the same info I have gotten from other sources. The Forest Service says that the whole trail has to be cleared and brought up to current USFS code. However, the Carteret County Wildlife Club ( they built the trail and do most of the maintenance ) has contacted them several times about being allowed to start repairing the trail. So far the Forest Service has not responded. I think the Forest service is using the excuse that most of the existing boardwalks, some of which were built 20 years ago, do not meet current USFS guidelines. If this is the case then their argument is in wrong as about 10 years ago the USFS got a grant and upgrade the southern 4 miles of trail with geo fabric and marl to stabilize muddy areas, widen the four miles of trail to about 6 feet wide and built / replaced about 7 boardwalks along this section. There is only one boardwalk on this section that was not rebuilt. This one section of trail has only suffered from a few fallen trees in the last 10 years that are very easy to clear. Of course as the trail is closed I can not legally check the conditions of this section.

[TZBrown]

Is hunting stil allowed in the forest lands?
if so take your camera and hunt wildlife, next to, not on the trail

[Tacoma96]

yeah all the trails in this area are mud holes, not worth doing right now.

[Tacoma96]

That is the same info I have gotten from other sources. The Forest Service says that the whole trail has to be cleared and brought up to current USFS code. However, the Carteret County Wildlife Club ( they built the trail and do most of the maintenance ) has contacted them several times about being allowed to start repairing the trail. So far the Forest Service has not responded. I think the Forest service is using the excuse that most of the existing boardwalks, some of which were built 20 years ago, do not meet current USFS guidelines. If this is the case then their argument is in wrong as about 10 years ago the USFS got a grant and upgrade the southern 4 miles of trail with geo fabric and marl to stabilize muddy areas, widen the four miles of trail to about 6 feet wide and built / replaced about 7 boardwalks along this section. There is only one boardwalk on this section that was not rebuilt. This one section of trail has only suffered from a few fallen trees in the last 10 years that are very easy to clear. Of course as the trail is closed I can not legally check the conditions of this section.

Yeah that's a shame, and I read the same thing in the CCWC news letter. The wife and I enjoy coming down and working on the trail in the coolers months.