LONG BRANCH
Nantahala National Forest
Wayah Ranger District
Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-6441
Standing Indian Campground is located about 20 minutes from Franklin, N.C. and is open from April through November. A number of hiking trails start just past the campground and climb to the Appalachian Trail – which has elevations in excess of 5000 feet in this area.
This hike starts just past Standing Indian Campground and follows the Long Branch Trail 2.0 miles and 800 feet up to the Appalachian Trail at Glassmine Gap. From here, the route turns to the right and climbs another 250 feet to the headwaters of Long Branch Creek where a shelter built in 2012 resides only a few tenths of a mile off the trail. The structure is two-story and has a picnic table, fire ring, and roomy privy situated in the back.
- click to watch a video slideshow from this winter backpacking trip in Western N.C.: February 2, 2013
- click to see videos from this hike near Standing Indian Mountain: February 2, 2013 – Arriving At Long Branch Shelter In A Driving Snow Storm, Warm Up With A Cold Beer, 50 Degrees & Sunny? Boone Dawg’s First Snow Hike
- click to read a photo journal from this hike near Standing Indian: February 2, 2013
- click to see trail photos from this hike to Long Branch Shelter: February 2, 2013 (password required)
- click to view a trip report for this backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail: February 2, 2013 (password required)
- click to view maps of this hike near Franklin, N.C.: area map, shelter overview map, detailed topo map, Standing Indian Campground to Appalachian Trail profile map, Timber Ridge Trail to Wallace Gap profile map (password required)
- click to see a recap of our annual cold weather Klondike Hikes into the wilderness which began in the early 90’s
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- click for access to the guidebook Trail By Trail: Backpacking In The Smoky Mountains which has details on this destination
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