Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6) & Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) via Shut-In Trail is a 3.9-mile out-and-back near Beaverdam, NC. The route passes Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) before reaching Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6) at the turnaround, 1.9 miles in. It climbs 1,043 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 3/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
0 mi3,566 – 4,029 ft · steepest grade: 26%3.9 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Shut-In Trail 35.45388, -82.68008
Nearest town Beaverdam, NC
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6) & Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) via Shut-In Trail
3.9 mi · ▲ 1,043 ft · 1 hr 49 min
Elevation 3,567–4,030 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Shut-In Trail · 35.45388, -82.68008
Weather Sep 5: Mostly clear, high 85°F / low 67° · precip 16% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 7:06 AM · sunset 7:55 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Shut-In Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftPass Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7).
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Stony Bald View, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Shut-In Trail, heading NW.
- 1.1 miReach Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Stony Bald View, heading SE.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Shut-In Trail, heading E.
- 0.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
99% dirt1% unspecified
Weather
Mostly clearTemperature 85°F67°
Precip16%Wind5 mphUV7Humidity71%
Rained 0.1″ 7 days ago
Hourly temperatureRain chance
85°65°
Sunrise 7:06 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:55 PM
Sat
85°69°
Sun
80°64°
60%
Mon
70°62°
35%
Tue
77°56°
Wed
81°57°
Thu
85°61°
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~57 min). Leave by 6:38 PM for the 7:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Shut-In Trail Trailhead
- Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) & Three Humps Loop via Shut-In Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 670 ft
- Cold Knob–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 4 sights 4.5 mi · ▲ 1,557 ft
- Spencer Branch Upper & Spencer Gap 4.8 mi · ▲ 962 ft
- Green Top–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) Loop, 9 sights 5.6 mi · ▲ 1,985 ft
- Fletcher Creek Trail–Spencer Branch Upper Loop, 5 sights 6.6 mi · ▲ 1,241 ft
- Wash Creek Road 6.7 mi · ▲ 1,030 ft
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Hikes near Beaverdam, North Carolina