Hiking Project Logo

Great views on this trail!


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

8.4

Miles

13.5

KM

Point to Point

1,965' 599 m

High

1,704' 520 m

Low

806' 246 m

Up

779' 237 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

11%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Lake · Views

Description

From the main parking area, Mouse Branch Loop starts with doubletrack. Head out the main road and continue in a clockwise direction. Mouse Branch Loop may be a little rough in places, but overall it is very similar to the other trails in the area.

This trail is over 8 miles when using the overlook section and ~6 without it. To loop this extra section, stay right on Mouse Branch Loop at the intersection then follow it back around counter clockwise. The overlook is a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains, and very close to the highest point of the Mouse Loop. After snapping some photos, get ready to descend the trail. Take a left again and overlap the same small section of trail you used to pass through the first time. This time at the top of the climb, stay right on the Mouse Branch Loop again.

Following the lakes contours for another 3.5 miles will take you back to the intersection with the entrance road and the Thompson Loop at Murphy Gap.

Contacts

Shared By:

Paul Stahlschmidt

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 4 votes

#8317

Overall
  4.5 from 4 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#290

in North Carolina

#8,317

Overall
6 Views Last Month
745 Since Aug 16, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Mouse Branch Overlook
Sep 5, 2023 near Bryson…, NC
View from Mouse Branch Overlook Trail at Tsali
Aug 16, 2017 near Bryson…, NC
Shady singletrack.
Aug 16, 2017 near Bryson…, NC
View from Mouse Branch Overlook Trail at Tsali
Nov 19, 2018 near Bryson…, NC
At the trailhead
Jul 29, 2015 near Bryson…, NC

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 24, 2022
Alan Hohn
9.7mi — 3h 21m
Oct 6, 2021
Garrett S
8.4mi — 1h 20m
May 22, 2018
Danny Landry
Did the companion Thompson loop 2 days before. Really enjoyed this loop. Had heavy rain the night before but were left with few wet spots. excellent
Aug 20, 2017
Jorge Ahumada
Great trail. Open and nice forest. Not as tough a climb
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.