more stats
1.7 miles
Distance
507 ft
Climb
-19 ft
Descent
00:27:07
Avg time
488 ft
Altitude change
2,847 ft
Altitude min
3,341 ft
Altitude max
2,847 ft
Altitude start
3,337 ft
Altitude end
5.4%
Grade
-7%
Grade max
26.2%
Grade min
1 mile
Distance climb
981 ft
Distance down
728 ft
Distance flat
00:27:07
Avg time

Spencer Gap (Upper) Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    North Mills River
    Mills River, North Carolina
  • Ref Number
    #600
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    100 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 95 in Trail Running
    • 80 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Global Ranking
    #40578 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #30377 in Trail Running
    • #57880 in Hiking
    • #647 in Horseback
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T2 Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Mixed
  • Bike Type
    DH, AM, XC
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Land Owner
    U.S. Forest Service

Once was an old road bed, turned trail.

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 10 rides
  • 14 miles average
6 Months
  • 276 rides
  • 16 miles avg distance
All
  • 1,923 rides
  • Last: Jul 21, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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April
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Status:
on Jun 20, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 4.12 (22 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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  • > 90%
  • > 80%
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Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
Contribute Details
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  • Description
  • Photos
  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
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BC Backroad Status

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Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to spencer-gap-upper-39181 trailhead (35.448920, -82.665640)

        Photos

        28 more »
        469 |
        Feb 21, 2019 @ 11:29pm
        Feb 21, 2019
        1,247 |
        Nov 19, 2015 @ 9:58am
        Nov 19, 2015
        107 |
        Oct 1, 2023 @ 3:03pm
        Oct 1, 2023
        141 |
        Sep 27, 2023 @ 1:15pm
        Sep 27, 2023

        Videos

        11 more »
        youtuber Every Body Bleeds | Bailey MTB Park
        10:33 | 613 | May 18, 2018 , Mills River
        youtuber Troy Lee Designs Raid Elbow Guard Review
        3:29 | 1749 | May 4, 2018 , Mills River
        youtuber Giving My Old Bike Away
        4:54 | 494 | Apr 27, 2018 , Mills River
        youtuber First Trip to Windrock Bike Park | Bobopalooza 3
        9:50 | 524 | Apr 18, 2018 , Mills River

        Trail Lists

        Routes with this trail

        93
        Mills River - Spencer Upper & Fletcher extra
        ★ 4.7 • 10 miles • 1,329 ft • 11 • Loop •
        This route takes you through the Spencer Upper, Fletcher Upper & Fletcher Lower downhill sections....
        68
        Trace Ridge
        ★ 4.7 • 8 miles • 1,148 ft • 8 • Loop •
        If you like steep techy downhills this is the route for you. Climb up wash creek road to Spencer Gap....
        52
        Spencer Trio Lower Fletcher & Trace
        ★ 5.0 • 12 miles • 1,530 ft • 6 • Loop •
        Typical North River Mills Blue loop. - Spencer Gap (Upper) - Spencer Branch (Upper) - Spencer Gap (Lower)...

        3 Reviews & Comments


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        Nearby Trails

        North Mills River

        Frequently Asked Questions About Spencer Gap (Upper)

        ▼ Where is Spencer Gap (Upper) located?
        Spencer Gap (Upper) is located in North Mills River, Mills River, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the North Mills River trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 35.44892, -82.66564.
        ▼ How hard is Spencer Gap (Upper)?
        Spencer Gap (Upper) is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 5.4%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Spencer Gap (Upper)?
        Spencer Gap (Upper) has 507 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 19 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 2,847 ft to 3,341 ft.
        ▼ Is Spencer Gap (Upper) a point to point trail?
        Spencer Gap (Upper) is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is mixed.

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