Sleepy Gap Overlook to Hendersonville Road, eastbound
October 23, 2026. This is my “antepenultimate” hike on the MST—that is, two before the end.
We left home at 5am, arriving at the Sleepy Gap Overview on the Blue Ridge Parkway by 9.
What a beautiful fall day for a hike!
After dropping me off at the overlook, the husband-shuttle spent the day birding at Jackson Park in Hendersonville.
I set off on relatively easy trail.
I’ll report this fallen tree to the trail volunteers. It looked recent–there was a big storm in the area about a week ago.
I paused here to listen to a Winter Wren scolding me for disturbing her peace.
Walnut Cove Overlook. The entire 10.7-mile hike stayed pretty close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. As a solo hiker, this enables a quick exit if necessary, and cell phone coverage was good all day.
I met a dozen different hikers and one trail-runner out enjoying the pleasant weather and autumn colors.
I really can’t believe I’m so close to finishing the MST!
About halfway, so time for a fig bar and some jelly bellies.
Another tree to report. This one required some contortionist moves.
The MST guide designates this as a water source, but the creek was completely dry. It didn’t matter to me, since I carry plenty of water with me.
There’s a very short section that runs through the North Carolina Arboretum.
Crossing the French Broad River.
It looks quiet, but there’s constant noise now from busy traffic on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Crossing the finally-finished bridge over I-76. There’s still some work being done to extend the sidewalk to a small parking area on the other side.
Wait. WHAT?!?
I did, in fact, hike farther on, just to see what the problem was. But when I heard the chainsaws, I retreated. I had several ancestors die in logging accidents, and I know how dangerous it can be.
Fortunately there was a spur trail nearby that led out to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I’d rather hike on a trail, but it’s only about two miles from here to my endpoint on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the husband-shuttle will be waiting.
But, after passing safely by all the work crews, I checked my FarOut app and saw that the trail was incredibly close to where I was on the BRP.
As there wasn’t much underbrush to contend with, I plunged into the forest to go find the MST.
Success!
And only one battle-scar.
You can see how much work has been done to restore the trail after Hurricane Helene hit two years ago.
A sturdy bridge means you’re almost at the parking lot!
And now there’s only two more hikes and 16 miles left to finish the Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail.
To celebrate, we went to Jackson Park for another (shorter!) walk.
A very birdy ending to a wonderful October day.
