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Leadmine Gap Trail is a ridgeline trail with scenic views of the Blueridge Mountains all around.


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Map Key

3.0

Miles

4.8

KM

Point to Point

3,384' 1,031 m

High

2,565' 782 m

Low

363' 111 m

Up

1,104' 336 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Wildflowers

Driving access to the trailhead is restricted from October 30 to April 1 by a Forest Service gate. During that time you can access the trail by hiking 0.57 miles to Hickory Branch Trail #213 or hike up Curtis Creek Rd. 3.8 miles to get to the trailhead.

Description

Leadmine Gap Trailhead is located just off Curtis Creek Rd. Once on the ridgeline, you'll have a series of short steep ups and downs with stellar views on either side of the ridge. You'll see Snooks Nose Trail to west and the Mackey Traverse to east. The trail tops out on Buckeye Knob at 3,398 feet. Leadmine Gap Trail intersects with Hickory Branch Trail #213 at around 2.0 miles.

As of 03/2021 Leadmine Gap Ridge (which is a continuation of Leadmine Gap) is a closed trail as designated by the USFS. Hikers will see a "Trail Closed" sign at the intersection of Leadmine Gap #212 and Hickory Branch Trail #213 At this intersection hikers must either return to the trailhead of Leadmine Gap Trail or continue on Hickory Branch Trail #213 that terminates at Curtis Creek Campground.

Flora & Fauna

Wildflowers are abundant in the summer and the views will provide great colors of the surrounding hardwoods in fall.

Leadmine Gap is home to some very large old growth trees as this area is also part of the first National Forest tract in the U.S.

Contacts

Shared By:

Victor Mariano

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#12966

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  4.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#517

in North Carolina

#12,966

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1,799 Since Mar 22, 2018
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Photos

One of the large old growth trees you'll find along the Leadmine Gap Trail.
Mar 22, 2018 near Marion, NC
View looking eastward from Buckeye Knob
Mar 22, 2018 near Marion, NC
This trailhead sign is not easy to see from Curtis Creek Rd
Mar 22, 2018 near Marion, NC
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