Standing Indian Campground

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#1

I’m planning a short section hike from Dick’s Creek Gap in Georgia to the Standing Indian Campground/Rock Gap area in late June. I’d like someone that is familiar with the Standing Indian area to give some advice on where to actually finish the hike. I’m having a little trouble understanding the road accesses to this section of the trail and don’t know if I need to stop at Standing Indian Campground, Rock Gap, or Deep Gap in respect to parking a vehicle for a couple of days. Thanks in advance.

Lucky

#2

Depending on how far you want to hike, you can get to Standing Indian campground via several different trails from the AT. The first trail you will meet will be the Kimsey Creek trail which will take you right into the campground. Road access is via US 64. You will have to turn off 64 a few miles west of Franklin, North Carolina to get to Standing Indian, but as I recall the road is marked. If you are looking for a place to park a vehicle the best option in my opinion is by the back country kiosk in the Standing Indian campground. How you get from there to Dicks Creek gap is another matter. I believe that the road to Deep Gap is closed due to blow downs from last years hurricanes.

good luck, I plan on doing that section in the fall.

Gene Roll

#3

You cannot drive your car to Deep Gap, N.C. unless the roads have been recently fixed. You can drive to within about 3 miles of the road/AT crossing. Check with the Hike Inn. I think they have a web address. They are a small mom and pop motel that caters to hikers and provides transportation. They will know the roads really well. A friend makes arrangements with them for us. I do not otherwise know how to contact them.

Mountain Dog

#4

A couple of years back my wife and I hiked from Dick’s Creek Gap to Deep Gap and parked our car there for a couple of days. I have heard that the road up to Deep Gap was closed due to downed trees, but they may have been cleared by now. Checking with the Hike Inn is a good idea; they should know and can give you great transportation information. Also, I believe you can park at Standing Indian Campground for a nominal daily fee. If you do not already have it, the ATC has a great map of the area which gives you all of you hiking options in the area. The section from Dick’s Creek Gap, GA to Rock Gap, NC is, we think, one of the most interesting and enjoyable sections south of Clingman’s Dome. Great hiking, PaPa Larry

PaPa Larry

#5

If you take HWY 64 (W) from Franklin, you will pass Winding Stair Gap, and take a left at a sign that says “Standing Indian” You are now on Old Hwy 64.

Continue for about five minutes and take a right @ Wallace Gap . You are now on Forest Road 67. Continue to the parking area that Gene Roll mentioned. I must agree with Gene that this is an excellent place to park. It is safe and many vehicles pass through here. The Kimsey Creek Trail is marked well and gets frequent use.

If you have time, try and swing around the AT past Standing Indian and onto Glassmine Gap. From there, you can take the Long Branch Trail to the same parking lot that I just mentioned. It is truly a unique area because in addtion to the Kimsey Creek and Long Branch Trail, there are several other access trails where you can do “loop hikes” if you will. Send me your e mail and fax # and I would happily provide a map.

Enjoy…

frasier fir