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...