Explorer Loop Trail Map

Route map of the Explorer Loop Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Explorer Loop Trail Map

Route map of the Explorer Loop Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Explorer Loop/Pine Tree Connector Trail Junction -- 2,230'

The junction with the Pine Tree Connector Trail marks the eastern extremity of the Explorer Loop which circles the southwestern portion of the Bent Creek Forest. Though you can go either direction from here, the album will follow the loop clockwise and will return to this spot in about 3 miles...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,250'

Starting out clockwise along the Explorer Loop, from its junction with the Pine Tree Connector...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,270'

Within a short time reaches its crossing of Beaten Branch...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,320'

Heading into the pines...

Explorer Loop/Sleepy Gap Trail Junction -- 2,370'

Four-tenths of mile up from the Pine Tree Connector, the Explorer Loop passes its junction with the Sleepy Gap Trail, which arrives down the ridge from the left...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,390'

There isn't much to see along this loop, mind you, but there is a sense of solitude here that is rare in the otherwise busy Bent Creek area...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,400'

Curving up through one of the numerous ravines passed along the south side of the loop...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,410'

Winding along the side of the ridge...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,400'

More pines...simply wonderful...

Explorer Loop/Explorer Loop Connector Trail Upper Junction -- 2,390'

Here the main loop passes its junction with the Explorer Loop Connector Trail (behind out of frame), which offers the opportunity to cut the Explorer Loop from three miles down to two. The Explorer Loop itself switches back (as seen here) to climb briefly...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,440'

A short climb, for a bit of a change...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,500'

Now a quick creek hop...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,520'

Looking up the tiny unnamed creek in the previous shot. Not real pretty, if I'm honest...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,540'

The slope the trail is cutting across gets a bit steeper, all the while maintaining a fairly steady grade...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,560'

Pine Mountain (3,720') rises through the trees ahead...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,580'

Arriving at the junction with the Chestnut Cove Trail, which arrives on the left from a nearby forest road...

Explorer Loop/Chestnut Cove Trail Junction -- 2,590'

The view if arriving at the junction with the Chestnut Cove Trail, in case you decide to travel the loop in a counter-clockwise direction...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,550'

Nearing the southern extremity of the loop the trail curves around looking for a place to descend into a valley known as Chestnut Cove...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,500'

A couple quick switchbacks take the trail down to into Chestnut Cove...

Explorer Loop Trail/F.R. 479H Upper Junction -- 2,430'

Here the Explorer Loop reaches its southern junction with gated Forest Road 479H. The trail takes a right here, heading north, following the road for a short time...

Explorer Loop Trail/F.R. 479H Upper Junction -- 2,420'

Turning north onto Forest Road 479H...

Explorer Loop Trail/F.R. 479H -- 2,380'

For the next three-tenths of a mile the Explorer Loop coincides with Forest Road 479H, making a beeline to the north...

Explorer Loop/Explorer Loop Connector Trail Lower Junction -- 2,350'

Passing the lower end of the Explorer Loop Connector Trail, the upper junction of which it passed above a mile earlier...

Explorer Loop Trail/F.R. 479H -- 2,330'

Nearing the northern end of the trails journey along Forest Service Road 479H...

Explorer Loop Trail/F.R. 479H Lower Junction -- 2,310'

Here the Explorer Loop turns back into the woods at its northern/lower junction with Forest Road 479H...

Explorer Loop Trail/F.R. 479H Lower Junction -- 2,310'

The Explorer Loop becomes a traditional footpath once again...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,300'

The lower half of the Explorer Loop is almost perfectly flat, as it leaves the forest road heading northeast...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,280'

More huge pines...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,300'

Now into the rhododendron...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,280'

Surprisingly this is the first bench you'll come across on this loop, heading clockwise...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,250'

Tall pines above, thick rhododendron below...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,230'

The Explorer Loop makes a short, moderate descent as it nears its northeastern end...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,210'

Here the Explorer Loop makes a hard right. To the left is a short connector path out to Bent Creek Road...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,210'

Crossing Beaten Branch once again...it looks a bit more impressive here than at the upper crossing from earlier in the loop...

Explorer Loop Trail -- 2,210'

Climbing once again to complete the Explorer Loop...

Explorer Loop/Pine Tree Connector Trail Junction -- 2,230'

Arriving back at its junction with the Pine Tree Connector, the Explorer Loop is complete.