Deep Gap–Big Tom Gap Trail, 3 sights
13.9 mi · ▲ 4,892 ft · 7 hr 5 min
Deep Gap–Big Tom Gap Trail, 3 sights is a 13.9-mile out-and-back in Mount Mitchell State Park near Hamrick, NC. The route reaches Deep Gap at the turnaround, 6.9 miles in. It climbs 4,892 ft, with sections as steep as 33% grade. It scores 77/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Deep Gap–Big Tom Gap Trail, 3 sights
13.9 mi · ▲ 4,892 ft · 7 hr 5 min
Elevation 2,909–6,581 ft
Out & Back · Mount Mitchell State Park
Trailhead: Rock Creek Connector · 35.79021, -82.21338
Weather Sep 5: Partly cloudy, high 89°F / low 70° · precip 18% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Dogs allowed on leash
- Start on Rock Creek Connector, heading W.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Buncombe Horse Trail, heading W.
- 4.4 miTurn right onto Big Tom Gap Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Black Mountain Crest, heading NW.
- 2.2 miReach Deep Gap, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.1 miBear left onto Big Tom Gap Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Buncombe Horse Trail, heading S.
- 4.4 miBear right onto Rock Creek Connector, heading SE.
- 0.1 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 4.9 mi in (~218 min). Leave by 3:56 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
More from Rock Creek Connector Trailhead
- Buncombe Horse Trail 3.6 mi · ▲ 537 ft
- Buncombe Horse Trail 9 mi · ▲ 2,790 ft
- Buncombe Horse Trail 15.6 mi · ▲ 3,939 ft
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Hikes near Hamrick, North Carolina