Trip report
Tapoco Lodge to Big Fat Gap - Benton MacKaye Trail
Hiking/Walk DATE: 07/26/2018 - 07/26/2018
Trip/Event Location: Robbinsville, NC
US
Trip Leader(s): dnaturist
Max # People: 8
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
The hike will begin at the Tapoco Lodge and begin an ascent of about 1000 feet up to Big Fat Gap. This part of the hike will be all up hill. Once we reach Big Fat Gap we shall take a lunch break
...We will be meeting at the McDonald's in Robbinsville, NC in the morning at 8:00 AM. The address for the McDonalds is 374 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville, NC, 28771.
Note: We will be leaving the McDonald's for the trailheads at 8:30 AM sharp.
Trip Report/Photos
This was a strenuous out and back hike from the Tapoco Lodge. The trail only had blazes for the first mile from the Lodge. There were lots of cross trails in this area, but at each intersection there were good directional signs posted.
The trail was in a beautiful forest, but there was an absence of flowers on this hike.
At Big Fat Gap there was trailhead parking and a nice shaded fence to sit on for lunch.
The trail had a grave marker on it for twin girls that passed away at the age of 6 days in 1914.
During this hike I had my first encounter with a timber rattler. It gave me quite a start. I heard the rattle first, looked up and saw it start to coil up. It was about 15 feet away, right in the middle of the trail. We gave it a wide berth, as we walked way off of the trail.
At the end of the hike we enjoyed a nice dinner, creek side, at the Tapoco Lodge. About a mile away from the the lodge was the beginning of the Tail of the Dragon. Popular with motorcycle riders. We paid a visit there too.
There are 5 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)
What Members Are Saying About This Trip/Event
- This was a good hike and though strenuous was enjoyable - also my 1st encounter with a timber rattler - riding the Tail of the Dragon with a retired police officer was great fun - 318 curves in 11 miles. Dinner at the Tapoco Lodge was delicious. - edfarthing
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