Mouse Branch Loop Trail at Tsali Recreation Area

Mouse Branch Loop Trail

Directions: The Tsali Recreation Area is about 17˝ miles from Robbinsville in the northeast corner of Graham County. From Robbinsville, travel east on State Highway 143 until you reach the junction with Highway 28. Turn right at the stop sign and proceed south on Highway 28 for approximately 8.4 miles. The entrance to the Tsali Recreation Area will be on the north side of the road and is well marked with signs. About one and a half miles from the entrance their is a parking area and it is a short walk to the various trailheads. The parking area has restrooms and an informational bulletin board. There is boat ramp access to Lake Fontana, shore fishing, water skiing, camping, horse trails, mountain bike trails, picnicking areas and hiking trails. Schedules for the use of the trails by equestrians and mountain bikers is as follows:

Mouse Branch Loop Trail

Hiking - seven days a week

Horseback Riding - Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Mountain Biking - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Tsali Horse Trail

Hiking - seven days a week

Horseback Riding - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Mountain Biking - Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Proper safety equipment should be used by mountain bikers at all times. For everyone's enjoyment these trails are designated as mixed use or joint use trails.

NOTE: Hikers may use any trail at any time, but you may wish to select a trail to walk on a non-bike use day. Be sure to exercise caution and yield when necessary to mountain bikers and equestrians.

*Trails Page*	Mouse Branch Loop Trail
Cable Cove Cheoah Trail Fitness Trail Hangover Lead Joyce Kilmer Lewellyn Cove Lookout Rock Mouse Branch Naked Ground Panther Creek Rattler Ford Santeetlah Creek Slickrock Creek Snowbird Nature Stecoah Gap Swan Cabin Thompson Tsali Yellow Creek Yellowhammer	Trailhead: The trailhead is located opposite to the entrance of the parking lot. Distance: This trail is approximately 5.3 miles long and is well used and easy to follow. Difficulty: It is rated as and easy to moderate hiking trail. Use Guide: Like the Thompson Loop Trail, the Mouse is an excellent trail for families and the casual day tripper. Allow enough time if you intend to hike the entire loop. With a family group on a casual stroll, allow 3-4 hours. For the more aggressive hiker, 2-3 hours should be sufficient time. Bring adequate food, water and protective clothing if your trip is going to be more than a few hours. Description: From the intersection of the trailhead and County Line Road, you will descend following a dirt road until it crosses a stream. To the left you should see a sign for the Thompson Loop Trail. DO NOT turn here, but continue on the road for about a Ľ of a mile. You will come to a small open area with signs for the Mouse Branch Loop Trail. You can choose either direction. It is recommended to take the left fork of the trail. This is a more gradual ascent of the ridge which will overlook Lake Fontana, and the lower Thompson Loop Trail. You will be on an old service road for just under 2 miles when you reach the fork in the road. Turn to your right and you will proceed on a footpath. There are signs at all the road and path junctions showing the trail direction. The footpath is mostly a downhill walk. It follows the contours of the lake and crosses several streams. The footpath eventually rejoins an old logging road that eventually leads you back to the open area where you started your walk. The service road leads to the parking area about ˝ mile away. This is a well used trail and easy to follow. Portions of the trail have suffered fire and storm damage over the past several years. However, the trail still offers a view of nature in recovery and many splendid vistas of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Trails Page

Mouse Branch Loop Trail

Cable Cove
Cheoah Trail
Fitness Trail
Hangover Lead
Joyce Kilmer
Lewellyn Cove
Lookout Rock
Mouse Branch
Naked Ground
Panther Creek
Rattler Ford
Santeetlah Creek
Slickrock Creek
Snowbird Nature
Stecoah Gap
Swan Cabin
Thompson
Tsali
Yellow Creek
Yellowhammer

Trailhead: The trailhead is located opposite to the entrance of the parking lot.
Distance: This trail is approximately 5.3 miles long and is well used and easy to follow.
Difficulty: It is rated as and easy to moderate hiking trail.
Use Guide: Like the Thompson Loop Trail, the Mouse is an excellent trail for families and the casual day tripper. Allow enough time if you intend to hike the entire loop. With a family group on a casual stroll, allow 3-4 hours. For the more aggressive hiker, 2-3 hours should be sufficient time. Bring adequate food, water and protective clothing if your trip is going to be more than a few hours.
Description: From the intersection of the trailhead and County Line Road, you will descend following a dirt road until it crosses a stream. To the left you should see a sign for the Thompson Loop Trail. DO NOT turn here, but continue on the road for about a Ľ of a mile. You will come to a small open area with signs for the Mouse Branch Loop Trail. You can choose either direction. It is recommended to take the left fork of the trail. This is a more gradual ascent of the ridge which will overlook Lake Fontana, and the lower Thompson Loop Trail. You will be on an old service road for just under 2 miles when you reach the fork in the road. Turn to your right and you will proceed on a footpath. There are signs at all the road and path junctions showing the trail direction. The footpath is mostly a downhill walk. It follows the contours of the lake and crosses several streams. The footpath eventually rejoins an old logging road that eventually leads you back to the open area where you started your walk. The service road leads to the parking area about ˝ mile away.
This is a well used trail and easy to follow. Portions of the trail have suffered fire and storm damage over the past several years. However, the trail still offers a view of nature in recovery and many splendid vistas of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

This page is maintained by Tom Livingston, Robbinsville, North Carolina