Rich Mountain via Avery Creek(edit)

trail_hike_comments: Steep, rocky at northwest (upper) end. Passes through some logged areas. Passes a large waterfall, and through hemlock and rhododendron groves. Southeast end is a standard wet, creekside trail with log bridges. Can be used to make several looops in the vicinity., trail_bike_comments: Most prefer to make this a descent - you can use gravel roads in the area to do the climbing. Touches up with FS 5057 making connections over to Buckhorn Gap possible. Very steep, rocky, and technical at the northwest end. Passes through a thinly forested, logged area. Great descent from there; becomes more of a standard creekside trail at the southeast end. It's a nice creek with a fairly large waterfall visible below the trail at one point. Watch for dead hemlocks. There are some nice rhododendron groves and several log bridges. Makes for a bunch of loop options in the area.