The Good Shepherd Trail Blazers have planned a hike for November 21. We will be hiking the Standing Indian Trail starting at Deep Gap off US 64 between Hayesville and Franklin. This is an approximately 5 mile hike with a moderate rating. We will meet at the church at 9:00 am and carpool to the trailhead. Bring water and a snack. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking/walking shoes.

Contact Kathy Rarey at 502-525-7256 or kprarey@yahoo.com or Kurt Hoffman at 828-835-0288 or hoffman190@frontier.com.

There will be an optional dinner outing at the Bowery in Franklin at 5:00 pm after the hike. 

Standing Indian Mountain, elevation 5,499 feet, is part of the North Carolina portion of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness within the boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest. The mountain lies along the Appalachian Trail and is the highest point along the Nantahala River.

According to Cherokee mythology, Standing Indian Mountain is the remains of a warrior who turned to stone because he failed to remain at his post. This Indian warrior had been sent to the mountaintop to keep a lookout for the winged monster which came from the sky and stole children. The winged monster was captured and then the Great Spirit destroyed the monster with thunder and lightning. However, because the Indian warrior became afraid and ran away from his post, he was turned to stone for his cowardice. The Cherokee called Standing Indian Mountain Yunwitsule-nunyi, which means "where the man stood."