Gulf Contour–Joe Johnson, 3 sights
9.1 mi · ▲ 2,108 ft · 4 hr 5 min
Gulf Contour–Joe Johnson, 3 sights is a 9.1-mile out-and-back in Linville Gorge Wilderness near Linville Falls, NC. It climbs 2,108 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Gulf Contour–Joe Johnson, 3 sights
9.1 mi · ▲ 2,108 ft · 4 hr 5 min
Elevation 3,182–4,195 ft
Out & Back · Linville Gorge Wilderness
Trailhead: Linville Falls Road · 35.95473, -81.92789
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 85°F / low 65° · precip 19% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:53 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Linville Falls Road, heading NE.
- 350 ftSharp right, heading SE.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Gulf Contour, heading E.
- 1.4 miTurn left onto Gulf Ridge, heading E.
- 0.6 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.1 miSharp right onto Long Arm, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading S.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Red North, heading SW.
- 0.7 miSharp left onto Brushy Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Huckleberry, heading E.
- 1.1 miSharp right onto Joe Johnson, heading W.
- 1 miTurn left onto Long Arm, heading N.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Gulf Ridge, heading SW.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Gulf Contour, heading W.
- 1.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 400 ftSharp left onto Linville Falls Road, heading SW.
- 200 ftArrive 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 1.6 mi in (~56 min). Leave by 6:37 PM for the 7:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Linville Falls Road Trailhead
- Duggers Creek Falls & Plunge Basin Overlook via Plunge Basin Trail 1 mi · ▲ 175 ft
- Linville Falls–Upper Linville Falls, 5 falls 1.1 mi · ▲ 90 ft
- Plunge Basin & Plunge Basin Trail 1.3 mi · ▲ 369 ft
- Chimney View & Erwin's View Trail 1.4 mi · ▲ 309 ft
- Erwin's View Outlook–Gorge View, 3 viewpoints 1.6 mi · ▲ 260 ft
- Marion Wright via Erwin's View Trail 2 mi · ▲ 269 ft
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Hikes near Linville Falls, North Carolina