Sleepy Gap Trail Map

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

Sleepy Gap Trail Map

Route map of the Sleepy Gap Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Sleepy Gap Overlook Trailhead -- 2,930'

The upper terminus of the Sleepy Gap Trail is located off the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a few feet into the woods from the south end of the parking area at Sleepy Gap...Blue Ridge Parkway MP 397.3...

Sleepy Gap Overlook -- 2,930'

The view across the Parkway from the parking area is quite stunning as it looks down the upper reaches of the Avery Creek Valley. The mountains beyond are those of the Blue Ridge, far to the southeast near the South Carolina line...

Sleepy Gap Overlook -- 2,930'

The view across the Parkway from the parking area is quite stunning as it looks down the upper reaches of the Avery Creek Valley. The mountains beyond are those of the Blue Ridge, far to the southeast near the South Carolina line...

Sleepy Gap Overlook Trailhead -- 2,930'

This sign points east and westbound along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (which follows the route of the Shut-In Trail in this area) from the Sleepy Gap parking area...

Sleepy Gap Overlook Trailhead (Mountains-to-Sea Trail) -- 2,930'

Entering the forest on the south end of the parking area you'll find this MST marker stake. To reach the upper end of the Sleepy Gap Trail go straight-right down a set of wood steps and you'll see a marker for it on the left (next photo)...

Sleepy Gap/Mountains-to-Sea Trail Junction -- 2,930'

This flight of steps leads down a couple feet, from the location of the previous photo, to the upper end of the Sleepy Gap Trail on the left...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,900'

Departing from the MST, the Sleepy Gap Trail wastes no time dropping off the ridge...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,860'

Looking down the steep adjacent slope, near the upper end of the Sleepy Gap Trail...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,820'

This is a moss and laurel lined trail at first...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,780'

The sound of running water ahead means you're now getting near Beaten Branch...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,750'

At about the quarter-mile mark the trail hops across Beaten Branch and turns to follow it down the valley...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,720'

The forest is incredibly beautiful here, with a remarkably open understory...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,680'

Curving around a beautiful fern-covered hillside...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,640'

At this point the trail starts to turn away from Beaten Branch, staying higher up the side of the valley...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,620'

Rhododendrons now begin to dominate the surroundings...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,580'

Passing yet another beautiful fern-covered hillside...

Sleepy Gap Trail @ Forest Road 479M Crossing -- 2,540'

At the half-mile mark the Sleepy Gap Trail makes a crossing of gated Forest Service Road 479M...

Sleepy Gap Trail @ Forest Road 479M Crossing -- 2,540'

Looking up along Forest Service Road 479M from the crossing of Sleepy Gap Trail, seen continuing downhill on the right...

Sleepy Gap Trail @ Forest Road 479M Crossing -- 2,540'

The Sleepy Gap Trail as it continues north from Forest Service Road 479M...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,500'

The grade becomes a tad steeper for this final quarter-mile...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,460'

Fern gully...

Sleepy Gap Trail -- 2,420'

Nearing the bottom of the Sleepy Gap Trail...

Sleepy Gap/Explorer Loop Trail Junction -- 2,380'

The Sleepy Gap Trail, seen here arriving at its lower terminus at the Explorer Loop Trail...

Sleepy Gap/Explorer Loop Trail Junction -- 2,380'

The Sleepy Gap Trail at its lower terminus, seen from the Explorer Loop Trail.