Heartbreak+Heavy+Half


 * //Heartbreak Heavy Half //**



Come join Pisgah Nation on this classic and legendary Western North Carolina trail for an out and back to one of the most beautiful views of the Blue Ridge around at the top of Pinnacle Mountain. The Heartbreak Ridge trail will be our route as we run out and back to the summit of Pinnacle. Due to this run being an out and back, you have the option of turning around at any point during the run to return to your car if you don't have the time to reach the summit. Heartbreak Ridge trail is famous among mountain bikers  for its long fun downhill grade, which is also perfect for running up. Total miles for the run is 14, 7 miles up, 7 miles down.

RUN STARTS AT 9AM!!

__Directions to Start: __ From Asheville, head down I-40 E to Old Fort. Take exit 72 and get on US 70 E. Just before entering the town, turn left onto Old US 70 and then turn right onto Mill Creek Rd and follow it past Andrew's Geyser. Make sure to turn right on Graphite Rd at the hair pen turn and look for the trailhead on your right just past the white church.

__Directions for Run: __ Begin on Star Gap Trail (yellow blaze) as it crosses the train tracks and begins it's ascent up to Heartbreak Ridge. At the crest of Star Gap Trail, about 1.5 in, turn left on to Heartbreak Ridge Trail (blazed yellow). Follow this trail for 4 miles up the ridge until you reach an open grassy field. Stay slightly left here and jump on an old road bed that leads you to the Toll Rd about a mile from that intersection. Once you reach the Toll Rd, turn right and follow it through a gate. After crossing through the gate, look for a yellow blazed trail on your left. Get on this trail and follow it to the summit of Pinnacle at 5,646 ft! After soaking in the views from this lofty and recognizable summit, return all the way back the way you came.