Cat Gap Loop Trail (#120)
Read MorePisgah Center for Wildlife Education -- 2,340'
The Cat Gap Loop trail departs the large parking lot at the Pisgah Hatchery from two different points...its southwest corner (straight ahead in this shot, to the left of the building) and also from the east end of the lot, which is out of frame to the left...
Cat Gap Loop Trail @ Horse Cove Creek -- 2,420'
At just under a mile from the east trailhead the loop reaches its crossing of Horse Cove Creek. This is rarely a problematic crossing but, at normal levels, you at least have to step carefully to avoid a wet foot (the levels seen here are lower than normal)...
Cat Gap Loop Trail @ Horse Cove Creek -- 2,420'
Looking back, just under a mile from the east trailhead, where the loop reaches its crossing of Horse Cove Creek. This is rarely a problematic crossing but, at normal levels, you at least have to step carefully to avoid a wet foot (the levels seen here are lower than normal)...
Cat Gap Loop/Cat Gap Bypass/John Rock Trail Upper Junction -- 3,100'
This massive dirt opening marks Horse Cove Gap, to the south of John Rock, where three busy trails converge. This is how the gap looks arriving from the east. To the right (out of frame) is the upper end of the John Rock Trail. Straight ahead is the Cat Gap Bypass Trail which, as its name implies, bypasses the extended climb up to Cat Gap by the main Loop. The Cat Gap Loop itself, and the direction the album heads from here, is to the left (south) past the stake and large stump...