Craven Gap to BRP at Hendersonville Road crossover, westbound
July 14, 2026. This hike was 13.9 miles, but the trail surface was very smooth, and the general direction was downhill, so it wasn’t all that strenuous.
I set out just before dawn, but there wasn’t much difference when, supposedly, the sun came up.
It was overcast all day long…..BUT not raining like yesterday!
My cell phone automatically adjusts for low light, so I’ve manipulated this image to reflect what the actual conditions were like.
Navigation was easy. You can’t miss turns when they’re marked like this!
That is one ginormous puffball.
Even where there was evidence of Hurricane Helene, the trail was well-tended, and there were hardly any rocky areas.
Yes, please!
FINALLY!
At long last, I actually encountered a Black Bear on the MST. This photo is fake, of course, because once that bear saw me, it skedaddled around the bend in the trail, and I never caught another look.
On the nature trail near the Folk Art Center
The trail was so smooth and relatively flat, that I made great time. I ended up finishing much more quickly than I had anticipated. Fortunately we had great cell phone connectivity, and I was able to keep the husband-shuttle informed of the time change as I progressed.
The route hopped up onto the BRP for several highway crossings.
It did get a little brighter, but I never used my sun hat since I was in the shade all day.
It’s been a while since I went through a stile!
Abandoned bridge over the Swannanoa River
Being so near to Asheville, there were LOTS of other hikers, dog-walkers, and trail-runners.
There were so many gorgeous mushrooms!
14 miles went by quite quickly, with such a variety of terrain and the beauties of nature.
Final climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway
And that’s the end, just after crossing Hendersonville Road.
We drove south to check out the bridge crossing that’s currently closed to pedestrians. No construction that we could see, but they’re still working on a parking area, apparently.
73 miles left to finish the MST!
My.Bird.Walks. 
The end is insight. I know you have had a grand adventure!! What’s next?
Glad to hear the bear skedaddled and loved the photo shopped cousin!
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