Tray Mountain from Dick’s Creek Gap

I have always hiked to Tray Mountain from the south. The approach from the north requires a bit more commitment and time. The hike begins at Dick Creek Gap. After about an hour's hiking, we get our first glimpse of Tray Mountain. For the next five hours we see it intermittently as we gradually draw closer to it. After we have attained our goal, the summit, we will descend to Andrew's Cove Campground. This hike requires a half-hour car shuttle at both ends.

In detail: we meet in Cleveland at the Ingles (behind the gas pumps) and drive to Andrew's Cove Campground, where we leave two cars; with the remaining two cars we drive along 75 north and then 76 south to Dick's Creek Gap. We should start hiking no later than 9:30. From Dick's Creek Gap we climb about 1200 ft to the lookout sidetrail, which we may skip, as there is a better view to the east ahead. From there we make an undulating descent to Deep Gap and then climb 600 ft to Kelly Knob. Here we take in the better view to the east. We now descend 800 ft to Addis Gap, at which point we will have been hiking about 3 hrs. We now begin a section of short ups and downs of 200-300 ft apiece to Steeltrap Gap. From there we begin our final climb, in stages, of almost 1000 ft to the top of Tray Mtn. We now will have hiked about 6-7 hrs. Just before the summit we can take an unmarked side trail to a lookout, from which we can look back to see the way we came. A short sprint to the surveyor's marker at the summit completes the ascent. From there it is all downhill, about two hours, to our cars. We drive back to Dick Creek Gap, reclaim the cars we left there, and head to Clayton for a well-deserved meal. Total elevation ~4400 ft. Hiking time, WITHOUT stops, ~8 hours. I don't envision this hike as a marathon. We will be hiking at a moderate pace and taking breaks as needed, so figure on 9 hours on the trail.

In the photo, taken from Pinnacle Knob, you can trace most of the hike along the far horizon. Starting from the right, you see Kelly Knob, then the long descent into Addis Gap, followed by two small mountains and a washboard-like stretch. Continue on the level, in front of Brier and Tray, which are further away than it appears, to a point hidden from view and from there ascend Tray.

I will be joining the group in Cleveland and will ask someone to co-ordinate the carpool at the Indian Trail Park and Ride. We will need a total of four cars to do the shuttle, of which two will leave from the Indian Trail Park and Ride.

I will be contacting any registrant who has not recently completed a D5-level hike to confirm the suitability of this hike for you.