Coffee Pot - Spencer Gap loop, 12mi/1800ft or 14mi/2400ft (exploratory)

Car poolers will meet at the Westgate parking lot -- other side of parking lot opposite Earth Fare at 7:50am. Please inform the organizer whether you plan to carpool or not.

The hike will start at the parking lot for the North Mills River Picnic Area. Take Airport Road/highway 280 south to North Mills River Road/. Turn right in between the Appalachian Brewery and the Ingles. Follow N. Mills River Rd/road #1345 for 4.9miles. Turn left into the parking lot for the picnic area. May be a small parking fee. "exploratory" means that I haven't done this hike (nor been there) lately.

Any rain cancellation will be made by 6:30am.

Loop hike relatively close to town. We have two options, and will decide halfway through if we take the
shorter https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-august-16-2025-d0f3cac
or longer https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-august-16-2025-82b8a34
version (or both, splitting into two groups).

PACE: Fitness hikes proceed at a steady BRISK pace adjusting for steepness of grade. PLEASE BE IN SHAPE AND CAPABLE OF HIKING THIS DISTANCE WITH ELEVATION. This is not a hike for beginners. If your interests include outdoor fitness hiking for cardio conditioning and endurance join us. This is a loop hike; we cannot include hikers who cannot keep up.

DOGS: Dogs are welcome as long as they are trail friendly, and you bring a leash.

IF YOU SIGN ON THIS HIKE AND CHANGE YOU MIND (EVEN IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST) GO BACK TO THE RSVP LINK AND CHANGE YOUR STATUS TO FREE UP YOUR RESERVED SPOT.

This is a level 6 or 8 hike.

Hike Levels:Level 1; 300-600 feet elevation gain; Level 2 600-900'; Level 3, 900-1200"; Level 4; 1200-1500' Level 5; 1500-1800' LEVEL 6; 1800-2100' Level 7; 2100-2400' Level 8; 2400-2700' Level 9; 2700-3000' Level 10; 3000-4000' ULTIMATE HIKES; > 4000'

Release of Liability:
The organizer of this trip is a volunteer and not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. If you sign up or participate in this event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries, illnesses, and damages arising from, as a result of, and associated with this event. In addition, you acknowledge that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms