Deep Gap - MST Birthday Hike 

LOCATION:Elk Valley Overlook BRP MP 274.3 hiking South to Osborne Mountain Overlook BRP MP 277.6.

TIME: Meet at 9 am on Sunday, September 8th

HIKE DESCRIPTION:This hike begins at the Crest of the Blue Ridge in Ashe County and crosses into Watauga County through the Deep Gap. Hiking along the edge of forever on the north side and then the south side of the Blue Ridge Escarpment this hike will provide the first distant view of Grandfather Mountain in Watauga County, 70 mile views to Pilot mountain, as well as seeing Elk Knob and Snake Mountain. 

For the wildflower enthusiast (wood aster, jewel weed, snake root, ginseng, rattlesnake orchid, squawroot, hellebores, Solomon's plume, cranefly orchid, Indian pipe, were spotted this week), rhododendron, and hardwood trees line this cool, mountain, morning hike. 

This will be an easy forested trail walk (except the crossing of the BRP Deep Gap bridge). Kid friendly when accompanied by an adult, dogs on lease allowed, no difficult wet crossings or rock passes. At 3.2 miles this hike is suitable for hikers of all abilities. 

If you wish to extend the hike to 5 miles you could easily start at Tompkins Knob trailhead and hike south to meet up with the group at Elk Valley Overlook at 9:00. An additional bonus is this morning hike would allow time to visit the Cascades waterfall at E.B. Jeffress Park just one mile north.

For other afternoon activities, this hike ends at Osborne Mountain Overlook which is 10 miles from Downtown Boone and ASU and 14 miles from Blowing Rock Shoppes on the Parkway. All of the MST in Watauga is safely and conveniently located within the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor if additional hiking is of interest.

LENGTH OF HIKE: 3.3 Miles

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

MEETING LOCATION: Hikers will meet at Osborne Mountain Overlook BRP MP 278 at 8:30 am.

 HIKE LEADER: Shelton Wilder,  esheltonwilder@gmail.com

OTHER LOGISTICS: Some cars will be left at the overlook and hikers will be shuttled to Elk Valley Overlook where the hike south to Osborne Overlook begin.

DONATIONS WELCOME. WHILE THE HIKE IS FREE, WE WELCOME YOU TO BUY A SHIRT AND CONTRIBUTE TO HELP FRIENDS OF THE MST CONTINUE TO BUILD, PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE TRAIL FOR YOU AND OTHERS TO ENJOY FOR YEARS TO COME.  THANK YOU. 

Register Now!