Water Tree (Blackgum Springs)–Cambric, 5 sights
14.8 mi · ▲ 4,472 ft · 7 hr 10 min
Water Tree (Blackgum Springs)–Cambric, 5 sights is a 14.8-mile out-and-back in Linville Gorge Wilderness near Ashford, NC. The route reaches Water Tree (Blackgum Springs). It climbs 4,472 ft, with sections as steep as 44% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 85/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Water Tree (Blackgum Springs)–Cambric, 5 sights
14.8 mi · ▲ 4,472 ft · 7 hr 10 min
Elevation 1,251–3,219 ft
Out & Back · Linville Gorge Wilderness
Trailhead: Pinch In Trail · 35.85158, -81.91768
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 87°F / low 68° · precip 11% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:51 PM
- Start on Pinch In Trail, heading SE.
- 1.6 miTurn right onto Linville Gorge Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Cambric, heading NE.
- 1.4 miTurn right onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading E.
- 2.6 miTurn left onto Water Tree Trail, heading SE.
- 0.1 miReach Water Tree (Blackgum Springs), then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Jeep, heading S.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Rick's Crossover, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading SW.
- 1.4 miTurn right, heading S.
- 1.7 miTurn left onto Linville Gorge Trail, heading NW.
- 3.2 miTurn left onto Pinch In Trail, heading N.
- 1.6 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.2 mi in (~207 min). Leave by 4:05 PM for the 7:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 11:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from Pinch In Trail Trailhead
- Cambric & Pinch In Trail via Linville Gorge Trail 4.1 mi · ▲ 2,159 ft
- Pinch In Trail & Unnamed / White Oak Stand via Linville Gorge Trail 9 mi · ▲ 3,289 ft
- Blue Rock Road–Cambric, 3 sights 10.3 mi · ▲ 4,754 ft
- Conley Cove Trail & Pinch In Trail via Linville Gorge Trail 11.8 mi · ▲ 3,231 ft
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