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Known 20 years ago as the Rich Mountain Trail, this renamed trace is essentially a shortened version of the former footpath. The trail shares the same path for part of the way with the longer Benton MacKaye. If you hike the trail from Deep Gap it is easier than hiking it from Stanley Gap, mostly because of the grueling, 2 mile, 1400 foot ascent from Stanley Gap to Rocky Mountain. We also like to hike this trail from Deep Gap because we can recoup at Falls Branch Falls near the end of the trail.

Climbing at the outset, the trail rises to the top of Davenport Mountain, from here following a high ridge. As typical of ridge top trails there is little water to be found. Views are occasionally good along this portion of the path and at 1.8 miles the footpath joins the Benton MacKaye Trail. From this point the trail continues to follow the ridge until Rocky Mountian (2.7 miles), when it begins the descent into Stanley Gap. At 3.75 miles the Stanley Gap Trail comes off to the right. At this point we normally continue on the Benton MacKaye so that we can spend a few minutes at Falls Branch Falls.

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Stanley Gap Trail
Stanley Gap Trail maps and directions
Trail reports for Stanley Gap Trail
Historic reports for Stanley Gap Trail