Turkeypen Gap #322

I rode it last week. As far as Helene the trail is fine, a few trees are down as always but just step over them, no disaster here - maybe 5 logs to cross the whole way. The East side has been kept more clean probably bc close to parking lot.
The hike-a-bikes are steep, and this trail really needs fixing.
The hike sections are not so bad as to skip the trail, but it does keep you from going back anytime soon.
I rode up Black to the west end of the trail and out at Turkeypen trailhead. The Western 2/3rds is not ridden or hiked much so leaves pile up in places so can be slow going downhill even due to the depth of leaves in the ruts, but offers some good views to the south in winter.
IMO this trail really needs to be re-routed so it starts at Maxwell Cove and not as high up as it does, and then switchbacks build to replace the hike-a-bike.
There is a signed trail about half way that goes North, but it is not on TF maps, this could maybe make a loop from Turkeypen trailhead to do just the east half of the trail linked with the wet S Mills River trail but I did not ride that.

Also of note, all the bridges are out, wash out, someone told me "all 3" but I saw both on S Mill R at the trailhead end and at the Squirrel Gap end out.

Did this from the parking lot up to black mountain. Definitely the wrong direction we hiked about 3.5 miles of steep uphill.

I'm surprised this trail isn't more popular because the descents are wild. Some of the steepest, roughest hills in the area. Guessing a lot of people avoid it because it's a ton of work and logistics are a bit tough.