Discover Pinch In Trail's Majestic Views

This is OPENED 24hrs 7 days a week like ALL NATIONAL FOREST ARE! Not sure why it says otherwise.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

We did the Pinchin to Linville River to Conley to Rock Jock trail 9.5 mile loop. I've read the other reviews and agree. It's hard. It's doable but hard. More like slow going. It starts out with a very steep decent. This goes on for about 2 miles. The hardest parts were where the leaves had covered the path and made it slippery. Amazing views when the trees open up. Halfway down is a big bald rock sticking up. Can't miss it. Easy climb and well worth it. This is also the first time we found ourselves off trail and didn't know where to go. If you go on this trail download Alltrails and pay the $35 annual fee. It will save you. The trails get less marked as you go. We got lost about 5 times. You need the app. Not affiliated. When you get to the bottom the seen changes to a green rainforest feel. This was in January so I imagine it really fills in in the summer. It takes you many miles along the river. You don't see it as much as you would like but you always hear it. When the trail does run up next to the river it's great. The classic rough flowing mountain river. It runs along the river for miles. The trail then turns back up and away from the river. This time it's less of a steep climb and more like a ton of switch backs. You'll see many creeks and 2 foot water falls. It also takes you to some "caves". More like rock shelter over hangs though kinda deep. Pretty cool. This is about where we lost day light. We are first year hikers and misjudged and didn't respect time on the trail. If you do this one start early and make tracks. We had head lamps and when it started to rain we put on our rain gear. Again without the Alltrails app on our phone in a zip lock bag we would have been S.O.L. It kept us on trail. Again this one was hard. It may not sound like fun but we loved it. If you like to push and test yourself then this is it. Bring lots of water, hiking sticks, flash lights, and the app.