Take down camp and drive 7 miles back towards Asheville and hike the Laurel Creek trail.
Highlights: Nice hike along a very scenic whitewater river and ruins
Near: Hot Springs, NC
Scenery: Rivers
Distance: 7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 300 ft
Hike Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Condition: Well maintained trail (Might be rocky)
HikeType: Out and Back

Please meet at Ryan's by Biltmore Square Mall @ 9:00 AM and carpool to trailhead. I will be camping at Hot Spring and will be meeting you guys at trail head. We will start hiking @ 10:30 AM.

Summary: This is a very nice hike along the Big Laurel River. This is an In-out route that will take about 3.5 hours and cover 7 miles. You start the trail by heading south and will shortly come to a private residence that is posted "Private" Continue walking on the trail until you resume your hike in the forest. The trail is flat and for the most part, tree covered. You will notice numerous trees in the process of being "felled" by area Beavers. There are quite a few rapids and trout pools along most of the route. There are also some excellent camping spots and swimming holes along the way. About 3/4 of the way in there are some foundational ruins from the old town of Runion. After the ruins stay on the trail until you intersect the rail road tracks and hike back out.

Trailhead: The trail Head for the Laurel River Trail is at the intersection of Hwy 25/70 and Hwy 208. There is a gravel parking area about 100 yards south of the intersection and a brown Forest Service sign denoting the trail.

Please appreciate the driver by pitching in money for gas, if you carpool.