Stanley Gap Trail and Flat Creek Loop

This hike is located on the north side of the Rich Mountain Wilderness Area. Beginning on the Stanley Gap Trail at Deep Gap we will ascend alongside Davenport mountain afterwhich the trail follows a high ridge. Along this trail there are some good views to the south of the Flat Creek Valley and Big Bald Mountain. After about 1.8 miles we will connect with the Benton MacKaye trail, which shares the same path as the Stanley Creek Trail for the next section. From this point we hike south about a mile to the summit of Rocky Mountain where we will stop for lunch. We will then head south on the trail just a short distance until we leave the trail and hike a short (~ 0.5 mile) but extremely steep downhill off-trail section to connect to the Flat Creek Loop Trail. We'll then hike the Flat Creek Loop Trail for about 3 miles until we reach the Stanley Gap Trail again - just a short distance from our starting point at Deep Gap.

I have hiked the Stanley Gap Trail; however, I have not hiked the Flat Creek Trail, nor the short off-trail section - which is why the hike is listed as exploratory. We will hike at a middle-of-the-road moderate pace to enjoy the surroundings. There will be a creek crossing on the last portion of the Flat Creek Trail, which may, or may not, require removing our shoes - I don't know because I haven't done this section. I also don't know what the vegetation will be like on the short off-trail section. It's on a north facing slope, so I don't expect it to be too bad. I'll try to find the 'clearest' route, but be prepared for a few briers and wear long pants in case there's any PI.

The hike will have a total distance of about 7.5 miles and about 2,100 feet of ascent. Note: there is approximately 1/2 mile of off-trail hiking on this route in which we'll drop about 500 feet of elevation in only 1/4 mile!