Bennett Gap Trail (#138)
Read MoreBennett Gap North Trailhead (F.R. 477) -- 3,500'
Bennett Gap marks the spot where Forest Road 477 breaks the crest of the ridge lining the east side of the Avery Creek Valley. The Bennett Gap Trail departs south from the gap at a point 2.4-miles south of F.R. 477's northern junction with US-276 or 4.8-miles north of its southern junction with US-276...
Bennett Gap North Trailhead (F.R. 477) -- 3,500'
The Bennett Gap Trail as it leaves its namesake gap (and F.R. 477) heading south...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Upper Overlook -- 3,520'
Looking Glass Rock as seen from the upper viewpoint of Overlook Rock...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Upper Overlook -- 3,520'
Pisgah's trio of famous plutons are front and center from the upper viewpoint. Looking Glass Rock (3,969') is closest, with Cedar Rock Mountain (4,056') rising to the left and John Rock (3,320') doing its best to hide beneath it...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Upper Overlook -- 3,520'
A pluton panorama...the incredible view west from the upper overlook...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Upper Overlook -- 3,520'
A tightly zoomed shot of Cedar Rock Mountain (4,056') with John Rock (3,320') tucked into the forest beneath it...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Upper Overlook -- 3,520'
Immediately to the south is the next summit, Coontree Mountain (3,500'), which the trail will pass over as it continues south along the ridge...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Overlook Rock -- 3,440'
The Bennett Gap Trail as it arrives at the small ledge unofficially named Overlook Rock...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Overlook Rock -- 3,450'
From the top of the ledge along the trail at Overlook Rock is this partial panorama looking east across the valley of Avery Creek...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Overlook Rock -- 3,450'
A zoomed look east of Clawhammer Mountain (left; 4,120') and Black Mountain (right; 4,286')...
Bennett Gap Trail @ Overlook Rock -- 3,450'
The view from the lower overlook faces more northerly, with a great look up towards the massive Pisgah Ridge...