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TrailsThis is your guide to individual trails in the Mills River area
Blaze Color: Orange
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 8
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 10
USGS Map Number: 328
Map on TopoZone
Follows creek through mostly hemlocks.
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 13
USGS Map Number: 102
Map on TopoZone
Follows one of the larger tributaries of the North Mills River. Steep near upper end. High elevation change.
Blaze Color: Orange
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 19
USGS Map Number: 351
Map on TopoZone
Creekside, backcountry trail. Numerous water crossings will require wading; not passable in high water. May require pathfinding skills - trail disappears into the creek at times. Passes small dam on Bradley Creek.
Blaze Color: Red
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 29
USGS Map Number: 148
Map on TopoZone
Sparsely maintained. Passes old Cantrell Creek Lodge site. Trail merges with creek at times.
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 98
Map on TopoZone
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 57
USGS Map Number: 350
Pictures
HikeWNC Map
Map on TopoZone
Typical streamside trail for the most part, w/ cove hardwoods, hemlocks, fern gardens and log bridges. Some muddy sections but mostly dry. However passes through some open meadows rimmed with flowering dogwoods near upper end. These fields have been used to grow corn in years recently past. Follows the old Fletcher Creek Road. Note: the log bridge at the intersection with the Spencer Branch and Middle Fork trails was washed away during the storms of September, 2004.
Blaze Color: Orange
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 70
USGS Map Number: 325
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 77
USGS Map Number: 348
Map on TopoZone
Follows the creek closely at lower end. Switches back & is very steep at upper end as it climbs the ridge.
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 78
USGS Map Number: 121
HikeWNC Map
Map on TopoZone
Climbs gradually from Yellow Gap Road (FR 1206) to the Buck Spring Trail. There are a few steep sections. Several unmarked trails join from either sides. You'll find mixed hardwood forests, some very large trees, rock outcroppings & even a small cave. There is little to no water during dry periods on this trail.
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 79
HikeWNC Map
Map on TopoZone
Short; moderately steep. Mostly mixed, high elevation hardwood forest. Rocky in places.
Blaze Color: Orange
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 89
USGS Map Number: 352
Map on TopoZone
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 93
USGS Map Number: 326
Map on TopoZone
Eroded in places; sandy sections.
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 96
USGS Map Number: 350
Map on TopoZone
Scenic and mostly level, but many river crossings where the trail is difficult to follow. River crossings may be impassible in high water.
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 102
USGS Map Number: 320
Map on TopoZone
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 103
Map on TopoZone
Blaze Color: Orange
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 104
USGS Map Number: 321
HikeWNC Map
Map on TopoZone
Climbs from Yellow Gap Road (FR 1206) up to the Buck Spring trail near Mount Pisgah on the Parkway. Many switchbacks. Block fields. Cliffs. Mid- and high-elevation mixed hardwood forests. Excellent trail.
Blaze Color: Orange
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 108
USGS Map Number: 349
I have only hiked the portion from Hickey Fork trail to the top at Camp Creek Bald. This portion is used as a 4-wheeler trail, so it's double-tracked. It's moderately steep in places and rocky throughout. Travels along some dry ridge slopes, ridge tops, and finally above 4000' into some high-elevation coves. The trail switches back and becomes level near the top, meandering through the dense woods, which are orchard-like in places. It is heavily overgrown with grasses and blackberry vines in places. Another steep climb brings you to the intersection with the Appalachian Trail, and beyond that a moderate climb brings you to the top of Camp Creek Bald, 4844', and its conglomeration of radio towers. A small clump of spruce trees grows beside an old fire tower at the true summit, although the observation platform is closed. You can climb to the first landing on the staircase for a better view.
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 110
USGS Map Number: 115
Map on TopoZone
Very scenic. May be impassible in high water.
Blaze Color: White
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 121
USGS Map Number: 133
Map on TopoZone
Crosses river on fords and suspension bridges. Muddy and sandy sections. Heavy horse usage. Scenic, wide river as it drops out of the Pink Beds.
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 122
USGS Map Number: 140
Map on TopoZone
Very steep on upper end. Rocky. Precipitous trail clings to the steep sides of the cove on lower end. Middle section is typical streamside trail. Upper section is very steep and rocky.
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 123
USGS Map Number: 600
Map on TopoZone
Old roadbed. I've seen deer on this trail nearly every time I've traveled it.
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 124
USGS Map Number: 147
Map on TopoZone
Overgrown in many places. Backcountry trail.
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 128
USGS Map Number: 602
Map on TopoZone
Blaze Color: Orange
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 130
USGS Map Number: 354
HikeWNC Map
Map on TopoZone
Follows old roadbed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rocky; steep. Very eroded in places. Dry pine-oak forests along the nondescript ridge.
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 131
USGS Map Number: 332
Map on TopoZone
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 135
USGS Map Number: 324
Map on TopoZone
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 136
USGS Map Number: 606
Map on TopoZone
Blaze Color: Blue
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 140
