AT Section #12: Sams Gap To Devil's Fork Gap

There are sections of the Appalachian Trail (AT) that have sweeping vistas, grand waterfalls, or plenty of miles. Well, Section 14, Sams Gap to Devil's Fork Gap, doesn't really have any of these. Still, it is a worthy slice of the AT in North Carolina/Tennessee.

CW: Max Patch, Big Firescald Knob, Roan Highlands, Big Bald, Laurel Fork Falls

Now let me say it is short, clocking in at 8.6 miles, and has decent views. Like Section 13, I am going to do this South to North as this is how I would recommend doing this section. That means the start will be at Sams Gap.  The AT isn't the only route that cuts through this Gap, Interstate-26 also comes through here. The AT Section 15 also started from here. Like I said before, the parking area for the AT sets under I-26, which has plenty of room. 

There is a short road walk uphill before going left past a weather monitoring station. From here the AT heads into the woods. You will also cross a plaque One of the things starting this section is there is a lot of fence rows. It also heads uphill, but not too steep. Before long there will be a junction, with a sign, out 150 feet to High Rocks at just under two miles. It gives views down into Tennessee.

Road walk

Looking back at Sams Gap Winter & Summer

AT goes by Weather Station & road up to the Divide Cemetery

Junction for...

High Rock

Clockwise:Pinnacle Mtn, I-26, Unaka Mtn, Big Bald

From High Rocks the trail heads down to a sag, going through some rhododendrons. At around the 2.5-mile mark, you will reach the junction with the HogBack Ridge Shelter (to see more details about this check out this blog). Located about a tenth-of-a-mile off the trail the shelter sleeps six. 

The old junction sign 2016 & new in 2019

Shelter Winter & Summer

Back on the AT the trail travels along a ridgeline starting down 0.3 miles. It eventually starts a more gradual descent a mile to Rice Gap. After Rice Gap, there is a rerouted area that leads to a large campsite at Big Flats. From here the trail passes a fence and starts a steep climb up Frozen Knob also known as Lick Rock. At the five-mile mark, there is a rewarding view, including Big Bald. Another two-tenths leads to the top of Frozen Knob, also known as Lick Rock. 

Rice Gap

Big Flat

The TN Mountains & Wolf Laurel Resort

Big Bald

Frozen Knob

Dropping down a 0.2 straight section takes one through an old apple orchard. Then it is another uphill and over a knob. From here it is a welcome long downhill to Sugarloaf Gap at 6.7 miles. This is where the trail turns and starts a steep slope towards Rector Laurel Road. 

Apple Orchard area...

Campsite at Sugarloaf Gap

Just under half-mile, you will reach Sugarloaf Branch Falls. As the AT winds down it will come down past a spring. Wind down across an ATV road as it heads up and past an old cemetery at 7.7 miles. After here it heads through a group of rhododendrons before again crossing that ATV road again in a flat area. I take it there were once structures here but not now. But you will notice some nearby from the trail as it bottom's out at Rector Laurel Road at eight miles. If you go right 0.2 miles you will come to Laurel Hostel 

Sugarloaf Branch Falls

Cemetery

ATV Road

Reach Rector Laurel Road

For those who don't head to the hostel, the AT starts up here. I have done this part in both directions, but you will be surprised how much steeper going up is. It does switchback, some, however, you will still be happy when you reach the BLANK. On up, a couple hundred yards is an old stile that you at one time crossed a fence that once stood here. Oh, if your lucky you might see some domesticated deer ( yes cows).  From here it is a tenth-of-a-mile to the edge of the woods and the Devil's Fork Gap sign. There is also a nice view of Camp Creek Bald from here. 

Camp Creek Bald

Once you turn right against a hill in a field you will see NC-209 and the parking area at Devil's Fork Gap. It just over the steps and the 8.6 miles.