Map of the 17.5 mile loop from Cataloochee to Mount Sterling Ridge and back
Elevation profile for my loop walk from Cataloochee Valley. (exaggerated vertically to show detail) - 5392 feet of climbing on this brutal walk.
Blue Ridge Parkway - Clouds hang in the valley on my drive to the trailhead in Cataloochee
Cataloochee - The entrance to Cataloochee Valley. Note the Asbury Trail sign - this trail is maintained by/for the Boy Scouts of America
Cataloochee Valley - Bull elk grazing in the morning fog
Cataloochee Valley - Elk herd coming out of the trees to graze
Cataloochee Valley - Elk herd coming out of the forest to graze
Cataloochee Valley - A large flock of wild turkey enjoying a morning stroll
Cataloochee Valley - A young bull elk grazing
Cataloochee Valley - Young bull elk grazing
Pretty Hollow Gap trailhead in Cataloochee Valley
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Beech Grove school behind the trees and across Palmer Creek
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Horse camp near the entrance of the trail
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Palmer Creek
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - A small cascade on Palmer Creek
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - The intersection with Little Cataloochee Trail. (visible on the right) I would return via this trail later today.
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Palmer Creek Trail intersection. I'll return and do this trail some other day. I spooked three white-tail deer drinking from the creek near this intersection.
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Flat area beside Palmer Creek
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Horse tie-ups beside the trail
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Unidentified mushroom
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Cluster of mushrooms
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Huge treated hemlock beside the trail trying to hang on despite the hemlock wooley adelgid infestation
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Climbing along in the beech forest
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Twisted stalks of Dutchmans pipe vine climbing a tree
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - First nice crossing of Pretty Hollow Creek
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Small tributary flowing into Pretty Hollow Creek at the crossing
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Cascade at Pretty Hollow Creek crossing
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Pretty Hollow Creek
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - After the crossing the climb gets more steep and rocky
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - A second crossing of Pretty Hollow Creek
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Mushrooms cling to the trunk of a big tree
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Now beginning to climb into the spruce-fir forest
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Hobblebush berries
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail - Climbing into the spruce-fir forest. Hobblebush showing off the first signs of Fall.
Pretty Hollow Gap - Fall colors appearing at Pretty Hollow Gap
Pretty Hollow Gap (5179' elevation) - A good rest spot before a big climb to Mount Sterling
Pretty Hollow Gap - Coneflower and White snakeroot overtaking the trail at the Gap
Pretty Hollow Gap - I was here back in early June on my 20.4 mile walk to Mount Sterling
Mount Sterling Ridge Trail - Beautiful spruce-fir forest but a steep climb
Mount Sterling Ridge Trail - Wildflowers overtake the muddy trail
Mount Sterling Ridge Trail/Mount Sterling Trail intersection - After a tough climb I reach this intersection. Although it's only 0.4 from here to the tower I skip it today due to the clouds
Mount Sterling Trail - Heading downhill (thankfully) on steep, rocky Mount Sterling Trail
Mount Sterling Trail - Not many views today, but here is a small one through the fraser firs and red spruce
Mount Sterling Trail - It's always nice to walk through the spruce-fir
Mount Sterling Trail - A clearing for the Mount Sterling power lines
Mount Sterling Trail - Spruce trees standing in ranks along Mount Sterling
Mount Sterling Trail - Another clearing with a view of Mount Sterling in good weather...but not today
Mount Sterling Trail/Long Bunk Trail intersection - Only 0.5 mile on the left is Mount Sterling Gap, which I would skip today.
Long Bunk Trail
Long Bunk Trail - Unidentified mushroom
Long Bunk Trail - a small creek crosses the trail
Long Bunk Trail - Ferns grow on the trunk of a big tree
Long Bunk Trail - Unidentified tiny mushrooms
Long Bunk Trail - Large downed tree playing host to new growth
Long Bunk Trail - Stream crossing
Long Bunk Trail - Umbrella Leaf berries
Long Bunk Trail - Mushroom clusters
Long Bunk Trail - A cluster of mushrooms
Long Bunk Trail - Hannah Cemetary
Long Bunk Trail - Hannah gravesite
Long Bunk Trail/Little Cataloochee Trail intersection
Little Cataloochee Trail - Hannah cabin 'driveway'
Little Cataloochee Trail - Hannah cabin
Little Cataloochee Trail
Little Cataloochee Trail - Little Cataloochee Creek
Little Cataloochee Trail - Little Cataloochee Creek and great stonework
Little Cataloochee Trail - Little Cataloochee Church
Little Cataloochee Trail - Cook Cabin
Little Cataloochee Trail - Davidson Branch
Cataloochee Valley - A big bull takes a walk. I heard bugling a couple of times today on my walk. It is currently the season of the rut.
Cataloochee Valley - A big bull takes a walk
Cataloochee Valley - A big bull
