High Rock–Appalachian Viewpoint, 4 saddles
11 mi · ▲ 2,534 ft · 4 hr 56 min
High Rock–Appalachian Viewpoint, 4 saddles is an 11-mile out-and-back near Rice Bend, TN. The route passes Sams Gap, High Rock and Rice Gap before reaching Appalachian Viewpoint at the turnaround, 5.5 miles in. It climbs 2,534 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 61/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
High Rock–Appalachian Viewpoint, 4 saddles
11 mi · ▲ 2,534 ft · 4 hr 56 min
Elevation 3,722–4,497 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Appalachian Trail · 35.95256, -82.56089
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 84°F / low 65° · precip 8% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:55 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Appalachian Trail, heading NW.
- 0.1 miPass Sams Gap.
- 1.6 miPass High Rock.
- 1.7 miPass Rice Gap.
- 1.7 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.3 miPass Appalachian Viewpoint.
- 100 ftSharp left, heading N.
- 50 ftReach High Rock, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading NE.
- 5.5 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 0.5 mi in (~21 min). Leave by 7:14 PM for the 7:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Appalachian Trail Trailhead
- Street Gap via Appalachian Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 1,215 ft
- Street Gap & Streets Gap Road via Appalachian Trail 5.5 mi · ▲ 1,506 ft
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