Bridges Camp Gap Trail Map

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

Bridges Camp Gap Trail Map

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

Bridges Camp Gap/Big East Fork/Greasy Cove Trail Junction -- 3,960'

Though there's no signage to indicate it (this is designated wilderness, after all) three trails come together here. The Greasy Cove Trail at its crossing of the East Fork (behind in this shot), the Big East Fork Trail which heads downstream along the East Fork (straight ahead), and the Bridges Camp Gap Trail (to the right) at its lower/northern terminus...

Bridges Camp Gap/Big East Fork/Greasy Cove Trail Junction -- 3,960'

The Bridges Camp Gap Trail as it departs the campsite at its lower/northern end...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 3,980'

Kicking off the climb with a tunnel through the rhododendron...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,000'

The trail doesn't take long to gain a bit of elevation on the East Fork...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,020'

The grade isn't all that severe along this stretch of the trail...and the ever-present East Fork is a pleasant companion...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,040'

Curving upwards, alongside the river...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail @ Shining Rock Wilderness Boundary -- 4,060'

Out of nowhere a signpost for the trail appears. This is actually the spot where the Bridges Camp Gap Trail crosses the boundary line of the Shining Rock Wilderness so signs and blazes are now allowed for the rest of the way south...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,080'

There are plenty of tempting places to explore down along the East Fork, though getting down from the trail takes some effort...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,100'

This stretch of river is fairly popular with swimmers and fisherman in the warmer months so don't expect to be alone during that time...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,130'

Up, up, up through the green...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,160'

Cutting through a thick grove of rhododendron just before reaching the point where the trail turns away from the river...

East Fork Pigeon River -- 4,170'

This beautiful spot along the East Fork is located adjacent to where the Bridges Camp Gap Trail makes its tight switchback at the base of the ridge...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,180'

Here, the Bridges Camp Gap Trail switches back on itself to begin its steep climb up the ridge towards the MST...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,200'

Looking back down towards the river as the trail begins to climb...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,220'

This is a seriously steep stretch of trail...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,280'

If anything, this is a well-traveled section of trail so it's fairly free of obstacles...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,300'

Very few switchbacks are in place to ease the climb (or descent)...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,320'

The uphill grind...

Bridges Camp Gap Trail -- 4,380'

The Bridges Camp Gap Trail as it nears its northern terminus at the Mountains-to-Sea Trail...note how decidedly rockier it has become...

Bridges Camp Gap/Mountains-to-Sea Trail Junction -- 4,420'

The Bridges Camp Gap Trail as it arrives at its northern terminus with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which curves by left-to-right in this shot...

Bridges Camp Gap/Mountains-to-Sea Trail Junction -- 4,420'

The northern terminus of the Bridges Camp Gap Trail (which departs straight-left here) as seen if arriving via the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.