Ice Gulch

Hike Description

1. Follow the A.T. south through a landscape that shows the lingering effects of a tornado that roared through the area in the mid-1990s. Look to the side of the Trail and see tree trunk after tree trunk that volunteers had to cut through in order to keep the Trail open.
2. The gradual ascent gives way to a steeper incline at 0.8 mile, but that only lasts for less than 0.2 mile as the Trail descends slightly to Ice Gulch at 1 mile. Within the ravine lie jumbles of huge boulders, but much of the time there is not enough light to see all of the way to the bottom. Enjoy the cool breeze rising into the hot air surrounding the gulch in warmer seasons.
3. Continue to a short side trail at 1.1 miles to take a break and enjoy the silence of the woods around the Tom Leonard Shelter.
4. Retrace your steps back to the parking lot.