Thompson Creek Trail Map

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

Thompson Creek Trail Map

Route map of the Thompson Creek Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Thompson Creek/Pilot Rock Trail Junction -- 4,980'

The upper terminus of the Thompson Creek Trail is seen here, departing the southbound Pilot Rock Trail on the right. The marker (seen to the left of the tree in the foreground) doesn't face those coming down the ridge so if your arriving from that direction you'll have to keep close watch for it...

Thompson Creek/Pilot Rock Trail Junction -- 4,980'

The Thompson Creek Trail as it departs its upper terminus, at the Pilot Rock Trail...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,920'

One look at a map and you'll know you're in for a quick drop in the near future...over the next mile the Thompson Creek Trail will lose a good thousand feet in elevation...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,880'

At first the Thompson Creek Trail isn't all that eager to make its drop off the ridge...that doesn't last long however...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,840'

Before long the grade becomes noticeably steeper as the trail drops into a thick grove of rhododendron...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,800'

Sloping steeply down the side of the ridge now...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,750'

Here the trail has swung back to face the Pisgah Ridge...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,650'

As the trail descends the terrain underfoot becomes much rockier...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,550'

Looking back up...yeah, it's as steep as it looks...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,450'

Down, down, down...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,350'

The trial reaches the bottom of its steepest stretch as it crosses this tiny tributary of Thompson Creek...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,280'

The grade remains moderately steep, however...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,200'

Coming up alongside Thompson Creek. The trail crosses just below...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,180'

This pretty little cascade is located just upstream form the crossing, inviting a photograph...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 4,100'

The trail now continues its downhill journey, following above the west side of the creek...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,900'

The grade continues to be moderately steep as the path simply heads straight down the valley...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,820'

Having the creek as a companion, along this upper portion of the trail, is nice considering the rather drab surroundings...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,800'

Looking back up at Thompson Creek as it tumbles down the valley alongside the trail...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,700'

About halfway between the upper crossing of Thompson Creek and Yellow Gap Road the valley surrounding the trail widens and the grade eases up for the first time since leaving the ridge...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,600'

Here the trail crosses an unnamed but fairly substantial tributary of Thomson Creek...

Thompson Creek -- 3,580'

This pretty cascade is just upstream from the crossing of the tributary...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,500'

The lower 2/3-mile of the trail is all but flat compared to what has come before, though it's still descending at a steady pace...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,450'

A few young pines start to add a bit of green to the winter understory...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,400'

This is a wonderfully enjoyable bit of trail, especially after the crazy drop off the ridge...

Thompson Creek Trail -- 3,350'

Just before reaching Yellow Gap Road the trail enters a pleasant grove of mountain laurel...

Thompson Creek Trailhead @ Yellow Gap Road -- 3,300'

A bit over two miles after leaving the ridge the trail reaches its lower terminus at Yellow Gap Road...

Thompson Creek Trailhead @ Yellow Gap Road -- 3,300'

The lower terminus of the Thompson Creek Trail, as seen from Yellow Gap Road. There is no parking right at the trailhead but there are pull-offs along the road nearby.