Cemetery Loop

Driving directions**: From the college, drive right on Broad Street for several miles until you get to the Pisgah Forest intersection (near the Wal-Mart store). Turn left into Pisgah Forest (Route 276N). Continue for about 5.3 miles until you come to the intersection to the fish hatchery (Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education). Turn left off 276N when you see the intersection with state route 475. After you pass the Fish Hatchery on the left, continue on the gravel road for 4 miles (staying on 475). Look for Long Branch trailhead on the left.

Hiking directions: This hike is about an hour loop hike. Before you begin (on Long Branch Trail), look back down the road (475) to the left to see where you will come out. What you’re looking for is a gravel road about 100 yards away with a closed gate across it. The hike is classified as an easy one. The trail to the cemetery is about .8 miles (McCall Cemetery), then Cemetery Loop (another 1.2 miles) will bring you back to 475. To begin, take Long Branch trail, which has an orange blaze. The trail is relatively flat, but is narrow with low branches, and mud puddles. .8 miles from the beginning, Long Branch will turn off to the right (near the cemetery), but you will now take the Cemetery Loop (with a yellow blaze). It will be just a short distance further and you will have to take the short spur off to the cemetery. The cemetery is the McCall Cemetery and is over 100 years old. Look for signs and follow the cemetery loop trail back for 1.2 miles. The trail now widens and becomes a gravel road that continues till you get back to rt. 475. If you do the trail in reverse, bear right along the main gravel road when you come to a fork.
 
 

For a longer hike (if you have 2 cars), I recommend the following (Note: I have not tried this hike but understand from the map that it is done).

Long Branch Trail to the Fish Hatchery

Directions **: From the college, drive right on Broad Street for several miles until you get to the Pisgah Forest intersection (near the Wal-Mart store). Turn left into Pisgah Forest (Route 276N). Continue for about 5.3 miles until you come to the intersection for the fish hatchery (Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education). Turn left off 276N when you see the intersection with state route 475. At the Fish Hatchery, leave one car and continue with a second car on the gravel road for 4 miles (staying on 475). Look for Long Branch trailhead on the left..

Hiking directions: This hike is about 2.5 miles and is more difficult and longer than doing the Cemetery Loop. The trail begins at the same point as before. To begin, take Long Branch trail, which has an orange blaze. The trail is relatively flat, but is narrow with low branches, and mud puddles. .8 miles from the beginning, Long Branch will turn off to the right (near the cemetery), and you will take Long Branch Trail to the right. The trail will cross Long Branch, then will climb through a thicket of rhododendrons and laurel before crossing a grassy road. You will meander through a young forest, then will descend sharply to Searcy Creek. The trail will then intersect Butter Gap Trail and you will follow Butter Gap Trail (blue blaze) to Cat Gap Trail. Follow Cat Gap Trail (orange blaze) to end up back at the Fish Hatchery (Wildlife Ed Center). Cat Gap Trail is a loop, so be sure to turn towards the Hatchery and not toward John Rock. Find your car, and drive back up 475 to get the other car.

• *As always, when hiking you should always:
• Hike with someone
• Let others know where you are going and when you expect to return
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing (carry rain gear)
• Carry water (and snacks)
• Have a map of the area (available downtown at the Forest Place or at Dolly’s ice cream shop (at the corner of 64, 276 and 280, near Wal-Mart)

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