Bent Creek: Lower Sidehill, South Branch

Registration opens Sunday, Dec 28, at 5 PM.

This is a lovely patch of Bent Creek. We'll have views toward Sleepy Gap Overlook and Chestnut Cove Overlook from afar as well as toward Grassy Knob, Tuckwheel Mountain, Pine Mountain, and Cold Mountain as shown above from the perspective of Lower Sidehill Trail. Then we'll cross over onto the other side of the hollar and hike South Ridge Road. Then its down through the cove forest known as Chestnut to the Explorer Loop parking lot, with a return on a portion of Lower Sidehill to complete the lollipop.

Parking choices:
1) Car pool: I will be at the Outlet Mall behind behind the Waffle House. Look for the 2000 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Car pool leaves at 9:30 A.M. with whoever is there at that time.
2) Trailhead: Meet at the trailhead, which has a tiny lot. Consider the carpool option. The trailhead is at the intersection of Bent Creek Gap Road and Forest Service Road 479F (Boyd Branch Road), which is 1 mile beyond Ledford Branch Parking lot. This 1 mile segment is a dirt road. Parking is in a small lot and along the shoulder. The map shows the trailhead parking.

Stats:
Distance: approx. 6.5 miles
Pace: 2 mph to 2.5 mph
Ascent: approx. 1,000 feet

Release of Liability Boilerplate:
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