Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 7 sights is a 15.2-mile out-and-back near Stony Fork, NC. The route passes Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6) and Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7). It climbs 3,401 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 31/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi2,231 – 4,029 ft · steepest grade: 22%15.6 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Shut-In Trail 35.45035, -82.70925
Nearest town Stony Fork, NC
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 7 sights
15.2 mi · ▲ 3,401 ft · 6 hr 46 min
Elevation 2,231–4,030 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Shut-In Trail · 35.45035, -82.70925
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 84°F / low 68° · precip 17% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 7:06 AM · sunset 7:56 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Shut-In Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6).
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Stony Bald View, heading SE.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Shut-In Trail, heading E.
- 0.8 miPass Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7).
- 1.8 miTurn right onto Bent Creek Gap Road, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Wash Creek Road, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Bad Fork Trail, heading S.
- 1.7 miTurn left onto Wash Creek Road, heading SW.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Seniard Mountain Road, heading SE.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Wash Creek Road, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Hendersonville Reservoir, heading SE.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Wash Creek, heading SE.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Trace Ridge, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto North Mills River Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miReach Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Trace Ridge, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Wash Creek, heading N.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Hendersonville Reservoir, heading N.
- 250 ftTurn left onto Wash Creek Road, heading NW.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Seniard Mountain Road, heading NW.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Wash Creek Road, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Bad Fork Trail, heading N.
- 1.7 miTurn left onto Wash Creek Road, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Bent Creek Gap Road, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Shut-In Trail, heading NE.
- 2.7 miContinue straight onto Stony Bald View, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Shut-In Trail, heading W.
- 1.1 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
94% dirt6% unspecified
Weather
OvercastTemperature 84°F68°
Precip17%Wind6 mphUV7Humidity63%
Hourly temperatureRain chance
85°65°
Sunrise 7:06 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:56 PM
Sat
86°70°
Sun
86°63°
59%
Mon
69°61°
35%
Tue
76°55°
Wed
81°57°
Thu
84°60°
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~12 min). Leave by 7:24 PM for the 7:56 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:19 PM — 2 min before dark.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Shut-In Trail Trailhead
- Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 14.3 mi · ▲ 3,338 ft
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