Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,730'

The last half mile or so of the Little Table Rock Trail is actually a bit of a climb which, actually, felt kind of good after the grueling descent...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,760'

An all-natural campsite...very cool...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,800'

Nearing the Spence Ridge Trail the path utilizes an old logging grade under tall, stately pines...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,800'

A couple Ash and Red Maple were still stubbornly holding onto some leaves, adding some welcome color...

Little Table Rock/Spence Ridge Trail Junction -- 2,780'

The junction of the Spence Ridge and Little Table Rock Trails...I'd be continuing down, straight ahead...

Spence Ridge Trail -- 2,400'

The Spence Ridge Trail was steep, but not nearly as relentlessly steep as the Little Table Rock Trail...

Spence Ridge Trail -- 2,020'

Cruising right along, it wasn't long before I reached the bottom...

***PERHAPS I JINXED IT BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE BRIDGE WAS INDEED DESTROYED BY ANOTHER FLOOD. THERE IS, AS OF NOW, NO REPLACEMENT THAT HAS BEEN BUILT NOR ARE THERE PLANS FOR ONE.***

Spence Ridge Trail -- 2,020'

This crossing actually has quite a history. As the only man-made crossing along the entire length of the gorge it's quite an important convenience. Nature, however, doesn't seem to think we should have it so easy and repeatedly washed previous improvised bridges here down the gorge. In the mid-2000's, against the wishes of wilderness purists, the USFS airlifted the present structures into the gorge...we'll see how long mother nature allows them to stay...

***PERHAPS I JINXED IT BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE BRIDGE WAS INDEED DESTROYED BY ANOTHER FLOOD. THERE IS, AS OF NOW, NO REPLACEMENT THAT HAS BEEN BUILT NOR ARE THERE PLANS FOR ONE.***

Linville River -- 2,020'

This inviting swimming hole must be nigh irresistible on a hot summer day...

Spence Ridge Trail -- 2,020'

These guys were in 'my' spot! They didn't look like they were moving any time soon so I crossed over to head downstream a bit so I could find a private spot...

***PERHAPS I JINXED IT BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE BRIDGE WAS INDEED DESTROYED BY ANOTHER FLOOD. THERE IS, AS OF NOW, NO REPLACEMENT THAT HAS BEEN BUILT NOR ARE THERE PLANS FOR ONE.***

Linville Gorge Trail -- 2,060'

The Linville Gorge Trail runs along the bottom of the gorge, I used it for about a quarter mile...

Linville River -- 2,000'

Officially reaching the bottom of the gorge...

Linville River -- 2,000'

The view from the spot I found downstream of the bridge. The Linville River is crazy rugged as this photo shows...

Linville River -- 2,000'

Peeking through a cleft in the rock towards the Spence Ridge bridge...

Spence Ridge Trail -- 2,020'

After too short a time it was time to syke myself up for the climb out...

***PERHAPS I JINXED IT BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE BRIDGE WAS INDEED DESTROYED BY ANOTHER FLOOD. THERE IS, AS OF NOW, NO REPLACEMENT THAT HAS BEEN BUILT NOR ARE THERE PLANS FOR ONE.***

Spence Ridge Trail -- 2,300'

Maybe it was the excitement of the day and all I had the privilege of seeing but I practically flew out of the gorge, barely winded...what a day!

Spence Ridge Trailhead -- 2,880'

Closing the loop back at Tablerock Gap finishing an awesome day in Linville Gorge!