Spencer Branch Trail Map

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

Spencer Branch Trail Map

Route map of the Spencer Branch Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Spencer Branch/Trace Ridge Trail Junction -- 3,320'

2.7-miles above the Trace Ridge Trailhead, via the like-named path, is the upper terminus of the Spencer Branch Trail. The trail departs the ridge to the west and immediately begins its descent...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 3,300'

The Spencer Branch Trail doesn't waste any time beginning its drop off the ridge...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 3,250'

Turning back south you can see (seasonally) the the west slope of Trace Ridge through the trees ahead...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 3,200'

Looking down the adjacent ridge...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 3,160'

After an initial steep drop the trail now begins a meandering journey alongside the ridge, only loosing elevation at a very gradual rate...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 3,120'

Even if you're not a biker you can certainly appreciate how enjoyable this trail must be to ride...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 3,080'

Glancing behind, you can see the high ridge to the north along-which travels the Blue Ridge Parkway...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 3,040'

Looking down through trees...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 3,000'

You can see the path as it winds along the ridge ahead here...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,980'

A wide, sweeping turn takes the trail back in a northerly direction once again...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,940'

The young hardwood forest here is creates a kaleidoscope of light and shadow...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,880'

Turning back south once again...this time for good...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,820'

About one mile after leaving the ridge the trail arrives at this split. Make sure to bear right here...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,800'

The descent begins to ease...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,780'

This sturdy footbridge takes the trail across tiny Spencer Branch as the it arrives at Forest Road 5097...

Spencer Branch Trail @ F.R. 5097 -- 2,760'

At the 1.1-mile mark from the top of the ridge the trail arrives at Forest Road 5097...

Spencer Branch Trail @ F.R. 5097 -- 2,760'

At 5097 the trail makes a dog-leg to the right a few yards, then turns left again back into the woods...

Spencer Branch Trail @ F.R. 5097 -- 2,750'

The trail as it departs F.R. 5097, heading south...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,730'

The next number of miles sees much more gentle terrain than what has come before...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,720'

Like a walk in the park...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,700'

The first of many water crossings is here, about a quarter-mile below F.R. 5097...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,690'

The wide flat trail continues...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,680'

Evidence of mans presence in years long past...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,680'

Pulling up alongside Spencer Branch briefly...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,670'

Another easy rock-hop...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,670'

...and now another...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,660'

The trail now enters a forest of young hemlocks as it approaches a large flat swampy area...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,650'

This large open area is a bit unexpected...it marks where Spencer Branch joins Fletcher Creek...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,640'

Thankfully the trail stays just above the soggy flatlands...at least for now...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,630'

Hopping across one of a few tiny tributaries feeding nearby Fletcher Creek...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,620'

It wouldn't be a hike in Pisgah without a green tunnel or two...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,610'

Needless to say the going is fast and easy along this part of the trail...

Spencer Branch/Fletcher Creek Trail Junction -- 2,600'

Just under a mile from F.R. 5097 the Spencer Branch reaches its intersection with the Fletcher Branch Trail. At this point the route ahead gets decidedly more wet, so be warned...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,600'

Continuing onto the "wet" section portion of the Spencer Branch Trail...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,590'

This is the first of three wet crossings the trail will now make, and it's about the easiest one...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,600'

Just beyond the crossing in the previous shot is a rather confusing junction. At this stake you need to make a hard left where, in a few feet the Spencer Branch and a spur path coming down from the Middle Fork Trail split...

Spencer Branch Trail/Middle Fork Cutoff Path Junction -- 2,600'

Making the hard left in the previous shot you immediately arrive here, at an unmarked split where a short cutoff path departs right to the nearby Middle Fork Trail. The cutoff heads up into the rhodo on the right while the Spencer Branch Trail heads straight-left to the crossing in the next shot...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,600'

Immediately after passing the Middle Fork Trail split the Spencer Branch Trail arrives at this ford of the Middle Fork itself. If this crossing looks problematic to you this is your chance to turn back, the next ford is even deeper...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,590'

After the first crossing of Middle Fork the flat walk resumes...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,600'

Now for a feature the trail hasn't sported yet...an uphill grade...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,640'

The trail is now traveling a little ways above the river, almost hidden by rhododendrons below...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,620'

Looking back up the trail as it skirts the edge of the steep bluff above the river...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,580'

Back down along the rivers edge again...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,560'

Hopping a tiny tributary...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,550'

This is one of the most beautiful spots along the entire trail with the sun glittering off Middle Fork as it sweeps by through the rhododendron...

Spencer Branch Trail -- 2,520'

The Spencer Branch Trail as it approaches its lower crossing of Middle Fork, heading southbound...