plutonathon


 * Who:** Experienced trail runners (limited group size)
 * What:** A 30-mile route tagging the summits of 3 granite plutons
 * When:** TBD... maybe Sunday, 11/11? (chime in with ideas on discussion board)
 * Where:** Start/finish in Brevard, NC
 * Why:** For fun! (+ great views from John, Looking Glass and Cedar Rocks!)


 * Low-key BYOS (bring your own stuff) aid station at the Fish Hatchery (see distances below)...**


 * Note: This is a weather dependent route with scrambling and exposure on some rock faces. Not recommended for those with acrophobia (bypass options to most difficulties are available)! **

00.0- Matt and Lily’s house in Brevard 01.0- Bracken Mtn. TH (follow blue blaze to FS-475C) 05.2- FS-475C (continue on double track trail/road to spur trail on LEFT up to Cat Gap) 06.0- Cat Gap Loop Trail (follow red blaze to the RIGHT) 06.5- John Rock Trail (follow yellow blaze straight ahead) 08.5- Cat Gap Loop Trail (follow red blaze to the LEFT) 11.0- Looking Glass TH (follow trail up to summit and back) 17.2- Looking Glass TH (return to Fish Hatchery TH Aid Station on FS-50) 19.2- Butter Gap Trail (follow blue blaze Butter Gap Trail to RIGHT) 19.7- Butter Gap Trail (continue to follow blue blaze to LEFT to Butter Gap) 22.0- Butter Gap (ascend unmarked trail up Cedar Rock on LEFT) (hint: stay on the ridge, after the first short rock scramble you will descend into a gap and climb again to the main rock face. In the woods, just below the face, the trail will split, go right and ascend the best line) 23.5- Art Loeb Trail (continue on ALT to Cat Gap) 24.0- Cat Gap (descend unmarked trail that you came up on to RIGHT) 24.2- FS-475C (go RIGHT on double track trail/road to blue blaze Bracken Mtn. Trail) 25.0- Descend Bracken Mtn. Trail (follow blue blaze all the way to TH) 29.0- Bracken Mtn. TH (return to Matt and Lily’s house through Brevard Music Center) 30.0- Matt and Lily’s house in Brevard
 * 10.0- Fish Hatchery TH Aid Station (follow FS-50 about a mile to Looking Glass TH)**
 * 18.2- Fish Hatchery TH Aid Station (follow red blaze Cat Gap Loop Trail RIGHT out of Hatchery)**
 * NOTE: be careful and choose the path of least resistance that you are most comfortable with!! **