Spencer Branch Trail (#140)
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Route map of the Spencer Branch Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...
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...
