Club Gap Trail #343

0.8 mi - Moderate - Club Gap Trail follows an old rocky road to its termination at Club Gap. The trail is cool and shaded, even during the hottest times of summer, and the hillsides are covered with ferns and a variety of wildflowers. Take note of the culverts along this trail, which are made of durable, decay-resistant chestnut logs. These culverts remind us of the American Chestnut tree, which dominated these forests until it succumbed to the Chestnut Blight in the 1920s. Small saplings or sprouts are all that remain today of these once magnificent trees. The sprouts live for about 5-10 years before being killed back by the blight, only to resprout once again—giving hope that the American Chestnut may someday return to its former dominance. At Club Gap, there is an intersection with Black Mountain Trail (#127), Avery Creek Trail (#327), and Buckwheat Knob Trail (#122).

Approximate Elevation Change: 500 feet
Blaze: Yellow

At a Glance