Standing Indian, Southern Approach

Please join me on an adventure to Standing Indian from an uncommon approach. The drive to the trail will be part of the adventure. We may get lost. The trail may be overgrown and unmarked. It will be epic, whether we ever get there or not!

The plan calls for us to drive from the Clayton Ingles in one or two cars max, through Tate City until the road runs out. The Deep Gap Branch Trail should be near there. We will follow that trail north along the Tallulah River and Deep Gap Branch to Deep Gap, where we will turn right onto the Appalachian Trail. We will follow the AT to the peak of Standing Indian, the highest peak on the AT south of the Smokies.

After enjoying the views and perhaps lunch, we will go back down the AT until we return to Deep Gap, where we turn left onto a decommissioned part of the AT. This loops back around to reconnect with the AT at Wateroak Gap, where we again hike on the AT. We take the AT for a few miles until we turn left onto Buck Creek Trail, which descends back to Tallulah River Road, which we take to the left to return to our car(s).

This wild ride will be about 12.3 miles with about 3,300 feet of climbing. But it could be more distance and climbing, or less. We may be unable to find some of the trails, which might add or subtract distance. We may, or may not, need to cross streams and get our feet wet. So bring your sense of adventure, your sense of humor, and your love of a great time in the woods!

Because there is little or no parking at the trailhead, meeting at the event is not allowed. But meeting at the Ingles in Clayton is fine. We will meet on the right side of the Ingles parking lot, near the middle of that side.

The trip leader will provide directions to the trailhead when we meet at Ingles in Clayton.