Table Rock Mountain Loop Hike Route Map

The previous day to the hike, my work station was across the gorge at Wiseman's View, seen here. From the overlook I planned my route for the following morning. Starting at the Spence Ridge Trailhead, I'd ascend Table Rock Mountain via the Table Rock Gap Trail and then descend to the gorge via the Little Table Rock and Spence Ridge Trails. I'd then climb out along the Spence Ridge Trail...

Table Rock Mountain Loop Hike Route Map

The approximate track of my hike around the Table Rock Mountain Loop, at Linville Gorge, with a side trip to the former Spence Ridge Bridge...

Spence Ridge Trailhead -- 2,880'

The hike would start and end here, along FR 210. The Table Rock Gap Trail heads left out of the frame while my return route, the Spence Ridge Trail, emerges from the trees directly ahead...

Spence Ridge Trailhead -- 2,880'

Looking down the Spence Ridge Trail, which I'd be returning on. The Table Rock Gap Trail runs just along the edge of the wilderness, which I wouldn't enter until I was near the top of Table Rock...

Table Rock Gap Trail (MST) -- 2,920'

Heading up the Table Rock Gap Trail. From the trailhead it was pretty much a constant climb...

Table Rock Gap Trail (MST) -- 2,900'

The Table Rock Gap Trail isn't that well marked so a map is a must, as it is anywhere in the gorge. About a half mile in you break out into this campsite with trails to the left, straight ahead, and an old logging road to the right. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail/Table Rock Gap Trail continue straight ahead and the road goes, well, nowhere...

Table Rock Gap Trail (MST) -- 3,000'

The higher I climbed on Table Rock, the rockier it got...

Table Rock Gap Trail (MST) -- 3,200'

One of the rougher sections of the Table Rock Gap Trail...

Table Rock Gap Trail (MST) -- 3,400'

After gaining about 500' of elevation the trail started to circle beneath the summit of Table Rock and offered some limited views through the trees of neighboring Hawksbill Mountain (4,020')...

Table Rock Gap Trail (MST) -- 3,480'

As the trail circled beneath Table Rock's summit cliffs I lost the sun and it got rather chilly...

Table Rock Gap Trail (MST) -- 3,550'

More views through the trees along the Table Rock Gap Trail, this time across the gorge in the general direction of Wiseman's View...the summit is Laurel Knob (4,040')...

Table Rock Summit Trail -- 3,620'

Now on the Table Rock Summit Trail, the trail utilizes several switchbacks to ascend the steep slopes...

Table Rock Summit Trail -- 3,700'

From the Table Rock Summit Trail the 6,000'+ bulk of the Black Mountain Range dominates the skyline to the southwest...

Table Rock Summit Trail -- 3,800'

Nearing the top, the Linville Gorge spreads out below in all its grandeur...

Table Rock Summit Trail -- 3,900'

I love trails like this...

Table Rock Summit Trail -- 4,000'

The last few steps to the top of Table Rock Mountain...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

Not sure the story behind the old foundation...something to look into...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

The 4,100-foot summit elevation seemed too nice and rounded so I was anxious to find the benchmark to get a more exact number...as you can see it didn't help much...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

The panorama south and west from the summit rocks. The Black Mountains are in the center distance while the Roan Highlands are to the distant right...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

The summit is narrow but very long so I spent quite a while wandering around. This super-pano looks off the northern end of the ridge. The Black Mountains are to the far left while Linville Gorge sits just off-center with the Roan Highlands rising beyond. Pointed, rocky, Hawksbill Mountain marks the east edge of the gorge with a dark Grandfather Mountain just to its right. The North Carolina piedmont stretches off to the horizon on the left...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

East from the summit the terrain drops off nearly 3,000 feet to the hills of the piedmont...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

A closer look at the head of Linville Gorge from the north end of the summit. Snow can still be seen atop the distant Roan Highlands from Hurricane Sandy the week before which dropped nearly 2-feet on the higher peaks...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

Hero shot atop Table Rock...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

The full panorama of Linville Gorge from the summit. This type of shot gives a curving effect to the gorge which is actually linear...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

Before long I turned my sights to the rock outcrops that define the summit ridge to the south...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

Linville Gorge from the summit...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

From the southern end of the ridge you can get a bit better look into the lower portion of the gorge. Along the east (left) rim you can make out the chimneys area with Shortoff Mountain in the haze beyond...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

The panorama from the southern end of Table Rock's summit. Lake James can be seen beyond Shortoff Mountain to the left while the Black Mountains dominate the view due south...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

From the south end of the summit ridge looking back towards the true summit...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

Letting my cares wash away...

Table Rock Mountain Summit -- 4,100'

The line demarcating protected and unprotected lands is quite easy to see in these parts. Case in point, possibly the most abused peak in the southeast, neighboring Sugar Mountain...

Table Rock Summit Trail -- 4,050'

Time to head for the bottom...

Table Rock Summit Trail -- 3,760'

The path through this outcrop almost looks man-made...

Table Rock Summit Trail -- 3,640'

One of the last views before I drop back into the forest...

Mountains-to-Sea Trail -- 3,600'

Perhaps a half mile from the summit I made a left turn briefly onto the Mountains-to-Sea Trail...

Mountains-to-Sea/Little Table Rock Trail Junction -- 3,560'

Little Table Rock isn't its own summit but rather just a high protrusion off the main summit of Table Rock...

Little Table Rock -- 3,600'

Breaking out onto the cliffs of Little Table Rock I experienced one of those "oh my God" moments that are so common around this gorge...

Little Table Rock -- 3,600'

Linville Gorge from Little Table Rock...

Little Table Rock -- 3,600'

From Little Table Rock you get a real good look out the mouth of Linville Gorge...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 3,500'

The real descent begins...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 3,300'

Not sure where I got this shot...I don't remember any flat spots along this trail!

Little Table Rock Trail -- 3,000'

A nice, steep leaf colored trail concealing a minefield of ankle twisting roots and rocks. The only chance I had to look up was when I stopped to take a picture!

Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,900'

The sun was directly behind me over the summit of Table Rock, frustrating my efforts to get a decent departing shot...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,800'

The steepness of the terrain provided some surprisingly decent views through the trees. Here, Hawksbill rises above...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,700'

It's a rare hike that wears you out more on the descent than on the climb! My muscles were literally quivering at times...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,660'

Calf muscles burning, this large trailside campsite was a welcome spot to take a break...

Little Table Rock Trail -- 2,700'

Much of the gorge interior is covered by a mixed pine-hardwood forest. Here, a nice grove of mixed White Pines gives a very northern feel...