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A short trail with loads of switchbacks.


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Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.0

KM

Singletrack

2,716' 828 m

High

1,930' 588 m

Low

786' 240 m

Up

520' 159 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

29%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

From the the Old Fort Picnic area and the base of Kitsuma, access Star Gap (TR 209) by taking Mill Creek Road approximately 2.5 miles north to Graphite Road. Veer right here just past the Brookside Baptist Church, and turn right on the doubletrack (unmarked) trail approximately .2 mi. past that. This will meet railroad tracks. Cross the tracks to start the Star Gap trail. Just into the woods, the trail gains elevation immediately at a steep hike-a-bike section. Continue on Star Gap to get to the bottom of Heartbreak Ridge and start a descent from there to Jarrett Creek Road - FS 4030.

Star Gap has roughly the same elevation gain/loss from the railroad tracks to Jarrett Creek Road. The big change from climbing to descending will be at the intersection with Heartbreak Ridge, ~1.2 mi. up at 2720 ft. You'll find about the same amount of switchbacks on either side of this point also. If there was ever a perfect trail to work on climbing/descending tight turns, this may be it.

Contacts

Shared By:

Paul Stahlschmidt with improvements by Jeremy Poore

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 12 votes

#7309

Overall
  4.3 from 12 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
8%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#198

in North Carolina

#7,309

Overall
32 Views Last Month
3,859 Since Jun 18, 2013
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
11%
11%
78%
0%

Photos

Star Gap Switchback
Oct 2, 2020 near Black M…, NC
Star Gap Switchback
Oct 2, 2020 near Black M…, NC
Coming down Star Gap on the west side of Heartbreak Ridge.
May 5, 2017 near Black M…, NC
Looking out somewhere from Star Gap headed towards the bottom of Heartbreak Ridge
May 5, 2017 near Black M…, NC
Looking up trail on Star Gap, headed towards the bottom of Heartbreak Ridge
May 5, 2017 near Black M…, NC
The tracks at the end of Star Gap.
May 5, 2017 near Black M…, NC
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Oct 15, 2023
Private User
Jun 5, 2021
Schmedlapp Dingledorf
Star Gap as part of Jerdon Mountain Challenge. Tough, technical.
May 5, 2019
Connor Woodruff
Mar 17, 2019
Joel Mathewson
Did the half south of the crossing with heartbreak 1.5mi
Oct 30, 2018
Mitch Tucker
from heartbreak to mill road. TIGHT switchbacks with lots of roots make for big challenges. 1.5mi
Jul 19, 2018
Amy White
fun switchbacks to challenge your tight cornering
May 26, 2018
Shane Toomes
Wet and slippery. Off camber roots and rocks are difficult. They’re worse when wet. Way worse!! 2.9mi
Apr 28, 2018
Clif Jones
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