Highlights

•  Horse Trails marked with "Orange Blazes" 
•  Trail follows gravel or grassy logging/forest roads 
•  Easy Ride 
•  2.5 hours max 
•  Small stream crossings 
•  Camping and room for trailers at Hurricane Creek Campground

The Local Scoop

Blackwell Gap Loop (#336) is a relatively easy trail. The trail follows forest service road for the majority of it's length. There is a stretch of narrow trail that takes you through the forest for approx. 1 mile. After the forest, the trail takes you along an older logging road that was abandoned years ago, back when this area was heavily logged for it' s precious hardwoods. This stretch of trail is approx. 1 mile in length and brings you to a gravel road which is forest road #67 for approx. 2 miles and back to the Hurrican Creek Campground & Horse Camp. This trall has a few small stream crossings through Long Branch to stop and let your horse have a drink. We recommend staying at the Hurricanc Creek Horse Camp where you'll find ample amount of parking for your truck/trailer as well as stalls for your horses. This Loop will take you approx. 2.5 hours. We would also like to mention that the Standing Indian Campground (located nearby) has a small supply store offfering some camping essentials as well as a pay phone in case of emergency. The store is only open during camping season.

The Local Directions

From intersection of U.S. Hwy-64 W and U.S. Hwy-23/441 North in Franklin take Hwy-64 W towards Murphy, NC for 12 miles. At just before the 12th mile you should see a Brown sign for "Wallace Gap", "Appalachian Trail" & "Standing Indian Campground" with arrows pointing you towards West Old Murphy Road(SR 1448) on your left. Stay on W.Old Murphy Rd. for 2 miles. You'll pass a Nantahala National Forest Sign for the campground saying "500 Ft Ahead", and at 2 miles you'll be at FR (Forest Road) #67 to your Right (indicated by a small, skinny Brown sign at the beginning of the road). Continue 1.8 miles on FR 67 until you come to a fork in the road. To your Right will be the entrance to "Standing Indian Campground", avoid the Right and continue on FR 67 to the left. In about 0.3 miles the road will turn to gravel at the Backcountry Info Kiosk. Follow FR 67 to Hurricane Creek Campground for "Basecamp." Look for signage along FR 67.

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Distance From

FROM (Town): Franklin, 19 miles RIDE: 4.2 miles

Coordinates

35.07585, -83.51005

Address

Franklin, NC 28734

County

Macon County

City

Franklin