Cool off in the Laurel River, get your feet wet, experienced swimmers
Drive time to the trailhead: 40-55 minutes
Distance: 7+- miles, Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 767 ft
Difficulty: Easy, moderate, some stream crossings
Time: on trail 3hrs
Pace: 2 mph
MEETUP LOCATION: Ingles Gas Express at Ingles Market, 863 Brevard Rd, across from the Asheville Outlets near I-25. Park near the Gas Station. Look for Blue CRV with Meetup sign. We’ll carpool to the trailhead. Suggested driver donation $7.
What to bring: swim wear? shoes/water shoes, hiking poles, (if you’re getting in the water, bring change of clothes), rain gear??, change of shoes.
Trail length is 7 miles. We may or may not do the entire length.
Described as mostly easy. This out and back trail follows the Laurel River outside of Marshall and Hot Springs with scenic views of many geological formations, rapids, and former railroad town life. Quoted from the HikeWNC website: ” This trail follows Big Laurel Creek through a scenic gorge to its junction with the French Broad River at the old logging ghost town of Runion.”
The trail is an old railroad bed which used to carry logs to the Runion sawmill in the 1920’s, and as such, is mostly level. However, it’s rocky and rooty in spots, so do bring the boots. Expect some muddy trail conditions.
A few small streams flow across the trail at various points, and bluffs tower over the river making the valley narrow and enclosed with precipitous slopes on either side. Huge boulders choke the gorge forming raging rapids in places, and a few deep holes. The trail nears its end at the former logging town of Runion. In its heyday, Runion was home to more than 1,000 people. Brick chimneys and crumbling foundations still remain – one of the few “ghost towns” in North Carolina.”
Well behaved dogs welcome.
Lunch after hike: [Spring Creek Tavern]((http://thespringcreektavern.com/) A group favorite.
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