The weather was iffy today with a slight drizzle of a rain when I headed out to meet the group. No word of cancellation, so off I go with my rain gear in pack. I've done this hike before 2 years ago with Mandy. My pedometer read 6.5 of this easy to moderate hike. The trail leads to a pristine mountain gorge, falls and a bold stream. We begin at the Laurel Fork Foothills access along the Horsepasture Road for a quarter mile then head south 1.9 miles on an old logging road. The trail then drops about 900 ft into the gorge with several switchbacks and stairways along the way. Near the gorge bottom, a 0.2 mile spur to the right leads to an overlook and scenic falls. On the return, we followed the creek up steam for half a mile for lunch on the rocks at the rapids.
NOTES: From Holly Springs Mart on Hwy 11 and US178, go 8 miles north on US178 through Rocky Bottom. Then, just over the bridge across Eastatoe Creek, turn sharp left onto Laurel Valley Road. Immediately bear right following the graveled Horsepasture Road uphill another quarter mile to the Foothills parking area and kiosk.
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