Laurel Knob Hike Route Map

My hike to Laurel Knob, in Panthertown Valley, as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Laurel Knob Hike Route Map

My hike to Laurel Knob, in Panthertown Valley, as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Laurel Knob from Lonesome Valley - 3,200'

Part of the reason Laurel Knobb is not more well known is that it's not easily seen from any public road. This shot, taken from the entrance to the gated Lonesome Valley subdivision, is about the best view of the Knob (its the far peak) that you can get...

Salt Rock Gap Trailhead - 4,075'

It had been a while since I had entered the valley from Saltrock Gap so it felt good to be back...

Panthertown Valley Trail - 4,050'

The PVT, as it enters the valley, isn't so much a trail as a road. Before its acquisition by the USFS, Panthertown was open to vehicles of which this route is a remnant...

Panthertown Valley Trail - 4,000'

The PVT from Saltrock Gap is in no hurry to get down into the valley...

Panthertown Valley-Wilderness Falls Trail Junction - 3,960'

The Wilderness Falls Trail arrives on my right. If all things went as planned I'd be finishing up my hike from that direction in a couple hours or so...

Salt Rock - 3,980'

"X" marks the top of Salt Rock...

Salt Rock - 3,980'

Just off the trail at the top of Salt Rock is an overlook off the valley that shouldn't be missed...

Salt Rock - 3,980'

Panthertown Valley from Salt Rock. All the major peaks of the valley are visible here...the cliffs of Blackrock (4,440') are on the left, the high dark dome of Cold Mountain (4,650') is in the distance, the broad low ridge of Little Green (4,040') is front and center across the valley, while Big Green (4,200') and the Great Wall can be seen to the right...

Panthertown Valley Trail - 3,920'

Continuing the descent...

Panthertown Valley-Deep Gap Trail Junction - 3,850'

About 3/4 of a mile I reached, and made a right turn onto, the Deep Gap Trail...