Trail 210 - Mitchell Ridge Area

This trail is in two sections, the northern one starting on TR223 near the Gum Pond Cemetery Trailhead and running 6.7 miles to TR208. The southern section goes from TR208 4.3 miles beside Braziel Creek to the FS224 Trailhead. I have hiked the north section and it is described here from north to south.

The trail starts about a quarter of a mile south of the Gum Pond Cemetery off of TR223. You will have to look carefully on the east side of the road to see where it branches off. From here the trail winds east along the ridge, it zig zags back and forth following the contours of the ridge for the next 6 miles. As the trail rounds the northern end of Braziel Creek on the ridge far above, it turns and proceeds south and east. This portion of the trail is very long, it feels like far more than 7 miles. There are a few places to look over the valley, although this valley is less impressive then others without tall cliffs. There are also a few stream beds on the northern section of the trail that should provide you with some water during wet seasons. However, when I hiked it in the dead of the summer there was no water to be found. The trail is often difficult to follow, it obviously gets very little use. When you near the southern end you start to wind down and off the ridge. The trail passes some fascinating rock faces and eventually ends in a grassy weedy area at TR208 just north of a bridge over Hagood Creek. This trailhead is very much hidden and will be difficult to find if trying to enter the trail from this direction. Look to the right when the trail turns left immediately after the bridge. I give this trail a two star rating and it is easy to moderate.

The lower portion of TR210 leaves TR208 somewhere south of the bridge over Hagood Creek. The trail roughly follows Braziel Creek for 4.3 miles to the FS224 trailhead, TR224, and TR200. The top entrance to the trail is marked with flags, although your best bet is the Backcountry Survey's map which accurately indicates where it intersects with 208. For the most part this trail follows (guess what?) an old logging road! The trail is interesting as it winds beside low cliff lines and into canyons walled on three sides by cliffs. The forest floor is very interesting covered with a thick grass. Although the trail appears to follow Braziel Creek it does not actually meet the creek for 2 or 3 miles. At one point this trail goes through the most serious storm damage I've seen in the wilderness (although the 202 damage is pretty bad too). A huge section of trees are blown down, allowing you to see out over the hill sides and to see the cliff line. The trail has been cleared and rerouted through this section, but it is still pretty rough. At one point here you will go up near the cliff and under a large rock ledge. It might be possible to sleep here in the rain, or at east sleep near by and use this dry area to cook and sit. It stays dry under this ledge since it is much higher than most of the other ledges which are constantly seeping water.

Finally the trail does make it's way down to Braziel Creek and then follows the creek closely for another 2 miles or so to where it fords Borden Creek and then reaches the FS224 trailhead. Right after the crossing of Borden Creek (not very deep but you will get wet), you can turn to the east which is apparently the new trail, TR203. Turn west and the trailhead is only a short distance. This trail is the only trail in the wilderness with some markings (orange flags for the most part). The markings are not consistent, but they do give you an indication that you are still on the trail which is good since this trail doesn't get much use. The trail gets a rating of three stars, it is easy, maintenance has been done but it isn't great and will require you to do some work.

The Sipsey Wilderness

Last Hiked: January 2000 (Southern portion) Summer 1998 (Northern portion)

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Last Updated: April 2003

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