Franklin, Robert, I and hopefully you are hiking this Tuesday, Aug 22nd on the Appalachian Trail near Franklin NC.  This is a clothing optional hike, not naked required.  We are looking at a 10 mile hike (unless we decide on a shorter one that morning).  We will meet at Winding Stair Gap on highway 64 just west of Franklin NC at 9:15 Tuesday morning and drive to the Trailhead on Albert Mountain, unless we decide to do more like a 5 miles hike and stop at Rock Gap.  I did this hike several years ago on a fall day when the temperature was mid 30’s when we started and rose to a balmy mid 50 something, so needless to say we stayed dressed as it was cold.  I have wanted to come back and do it in warm weather so this is an opportunity.  It is a gorgeous hike up on the ridge line in many cases and does not have many significant elevation changes, and for the most part I’m remembering them as fairly gradual except for one set of steps after crossing the road near Standing Indian Campground.   Because this is a shuttle hike, please let me know if you plan on joining Franklin, Robert and me as that helps with logistics.

11.4 miles west of Franklin NC on Highway 64, also known as the Murphy Highway.