FW: Sleepy Gap to Bent Creek River Park

Posted By on October 12, 2020

FW: Sleepy Gap to Bent Creek River Park

7.7 miles; 475′ ascent; Arden and Asheville, NC

Another Feisty Women hike. This has a heck of a lot less ascent than it felt like. Most of the climbing is at the beginning. Only had to stop while gasping for air once, so getting better.

The River at French Broad River Park

We had a lot of rain this past weekend as the remains of Hurricane Delta moved through, and the French Broad River was really high. The trail was pretty muddy, and covered with wet leaves in places, too, so I was moving slower going downhill than up.

View

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which we hike on the regular, is in places way above the Blue Ridge Parkway, though it’s still on US Forest Service land. Makes the views extra special.

Lady Glow-worm (Phengodes)

Someone spotted this gal as we walked. We didn’t know it at the time, but it’s an adult female glow-worm. The males have wings and are basically only around for te sexy times, as they have no mouths with which to eat. Had it been nighttime we wouldn’t have missed her, I’m sure. Glow-worms are actually a kind of beetle.

Beautiful Web

Right after the glow-worm I saw this gorgeous little spider web nestled into an old stump. Nature is cool.

Lovely Golden Trail

I love this time of year when the yellow leaves gild the trail. It was a great hike.

You can find out more about the Mountains-to-Sea trail here. As always, click the image above for details about this hike and to download the gps track.

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