Table Rock Road to NC-181, eastbound
June 25, 2026. We were asleep by 7pm last night, since the day before had been so strenuous! But that meant we were out the door before sunrise. Today’s hike was 7.8 miles, downhill from Table Rock Road to Steels Creek, then following the creek upstream, then back up the ridge to where the MST crosses NC-181.
There’s enough light to start hiking about 20 minutes before the actual time of sunrise.
The husband-shuttle spent the morning at Linville Falls.
It looks quiet, but the early morning birdsong is in full swing! Swainson’s Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Wood Thrush, and even some Red Crossbills.
I didn’t have a lot of zip during the first miles, but it was mostly downhill, so I just kept a steady pace. Eventually I felt better–ironically, when I started going UP hill. How perverse!
Down in the valley, especially creek-side, there’s a lot of new trail being established.
I love me some nice big rocks for creek crossings!
Yep. That’s a trail.
Steels Creek was quite pretty. Sometimes the route was along the edge, but mostly it was up on the bank. Lots of short, but steep ups and downs.
This guy had a lot of complaints to air about…many things. I finally had to just abruptly extract myself from a very one-sided conversation.
Not every creek crossing was obvious, but I managed to keep my feet dry after some careful reconaissance.
After crossing Steels Creek for the last time, the MST heads steadily uphill for 2.5 miles, but the terrain was easy.
The last mile was on a forest service road–still gradually uphill.
I got to the NC 181 Trailhead about 30 seconds before the husband-shuttle arrived.
And he expeditiously removed two unwanted hitchhikers….
98 miles to go!
My.Bird.Walks. 