Slate Rock Loop - Pisgah Forest - 7+ Miles ~ Moderate Hike
Details
RSVPs open Thursday at 6 PM. Let's take a hike out in Pisgah Forest to Slate Rock Creek Trail. We'll meet at Ingles posted above at 10am, arrange carpooling, and depart at 10:15 AM arriving at the trailhead about 10:50 AM. I have been asked by Bryan Speakingfeather to post this hike, as he has his nephew and a friend coming into town this weekend. Sandi Newman will lead it for the group. Thanks to Tom Silver for providing the description from a 2012 hike that he led for the AHG. :-)
Please read the entire description before RSVPing. We will likely return to the Ingles at approximately 4 PM, but if you have to be back for a commitment, please do not sign up so as to not rush the group.
We will start with a 1 1/2 mile walk down the gravel road to the Slate Rock Creek Trail-head on the left.
At the start of the trail there is this pretty creek that joins with Slate Rock Creek. The trail begins by following Slate Rock Creek. It is an easy to moderate grade hike with several stream crossings.
Be prepared to rock hop or wade through the creek.
Slate Rock Creek is typical of mountain streams, with small cascades and an abundance of mosses and ferns. The trail leaves Slate Rock Creek after almost 3 miles and climbs up Slate Rock Ridge. Here, at the gap, the Pilot Cove Loop (#320A) intersects to the left. We will take that left, which will lead us across the Slate Rock's face.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.
Bring: Lunch, water, closed-toed footwear appropriate for hiking
Optional: camera, hiking poles
Feel free to post questions not covered in this description in the comments section.
See you on the trail!
-Jonna, for Sandi and Bryan
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/d/6/4/event_109459812.jpeg (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4991501/Slate%20Creek/slate%20rock.jpg)
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/e/b/8/event_109460152.jpeg (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4991501/Slate%20Creek/stream%20cross.jpg)
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/3/7/e/event_109633182.jpeg (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4991501/Slate%20Creek/Slate%20Rock%20Aerial.jpg)