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{{Trail
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
|Banner Image=File:Upper Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG
{{Infobox Trail
|Trail Highlight=Rock-lined gorge with sandstone cliffs and cascading creek to view two different waterfalls
                    | Image Name = Upper_Falls_of_Little_Stony_Creek.jpg‎
|Trail Number=FS# 331
                    | Hike Time = 3-4
|City=Dungannon
                    | City = Dungannon
|Land Owner=George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
                    | State = Virginia
|Trail Marking=Yellow
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}
|Trail Use=Hiking
                    | Season = Year Round
|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Mountains
                    | Difficulty Rating = Moderate
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Distance = 5.2
|Hike Time=3 hrs
                    | Elevation Gain = 800
|Trail Distance=2.608 mi
                    | High Point = *
|Round Trip Distance=5.2 mi
                    | Latitude = N36°51.675
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | Longitude = W082°26.775
|High Point=2,199 ft
                    | Medical = Kingsport, TN
|Low Point=1,514 ft
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
|Elevation Gain=681 ft
                    | googlemap =
|Elevation Loss=15 ft
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.8609" lon="-82.44625" type="map" zoom="9" width="270" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
36.8609,-82.44625,Little Stony Creek Falls lower trailhead
|Parking location=36.8609, -82.44625
</googlemap>
|Trailhead location=36.8609, -82.44625
}}
}}
{{Trail Map}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
 
<!-- Start of Main Page -->
__TOC__


== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
Hike in deep, rock-lined gorge with sandstone cliffs and cascading creek to view two different waterfalls - a curtain and a plunge.
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Two nice waterfalls in gorge with sandstone cliffs along the sides. Hike up good trail with several bridges.


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Gate City, VA to <u>lower trailhead</u>:
From Gate City, VA:
#Turn onto VA-71 north (no sign here).
#Turn onto VA 71 north (no sign here).
#After one mile, turn left on VA-72 and proceed north (through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon) for 22 miles.
#After one mile, turn left on VA 72 and proceed north (through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon, Va.) for 22.1 miles.
#Look for USFS sign, to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area (about 2.6 miles north of Dungannon).
#Look for USFS sign, to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area (about 2.6 miles north of Dungannon, Va).
#At extremely sharp switchback, go straight (left side of highway) into picnic area and park.
#At extremely sharp switchback, go straight (left side of highway) into picnic area and park.
Note: Picnic area is only open mid March-October 31, thus locked gate during off-season.  Park along the access road (do not block the gate) and add quarter mile each way to the hike.
Upper Parking Area:
 
#Follow above directions
 
#Continue on Hwy 72 past the entrance to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area for an additional 6.6 miles (very curvy)
To <u>upper parking area</u>:
#Turn left onto state route 664 and go 1.1 miles
#Follow above directions.
#Turn left onto gravel forest service road 700 and go 1.4 miles
#Continue on VA-72 past the entrance to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area for an additional 6.6 miles (very curvy!)
#At the road split take the left (forest service road 701) and go 1 mile to gravel parking area
#Turn left onto SR-664 (Corder Town Rd) and go 1.1 miles.
#Follow the trail downstream for 0.2 miles
#Turn left onto gravel Forest Service Road #700 and go 1.4 miles.
#At the road split take the left (Forest Service Road #701) and go one mile to gravel parking area.
#Follow the trail downstream.


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
[[File:Little stony creek falls profile.png|thumb|right]]
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
From the Hanging Rock Recreation Area, this yellow-blazed trail winds up the deep rock-strewn gorge carved by the cascading Little Stony Creek.  Follow former narrow gauge logging railroad up creek valley.  Stream is crossed by several wood bridges.  There is an observation stand at the middle falls.  Rock steps lead down to pool at base of upper falls.  Beyond the upper falls is a parking lot.  The trail continues north as lesser used [[Chief Benge Scout Trail]].
Hikers cross mound barriers and soon make the first of a number of fords.  Continue following up creek valley.


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
As shared in TEHCC September 2019 newsletter:
Per the Forest Service Ranger, the chain saw group has removed what blowdowns from 2009 storm that they could.  The remaining ones are "technical" (difficult and potentially dangerous), thus may require rerouting the trail or more experienced (and expensive) tree removal assistance.  So in places the trail will require climbing over/around/under fallen trees.
This hiking trail has two issues which render this path temporarily closed officially effective with a USFS May 2018 notice.  Since Summer 2012, a landslide has removed a section of the trail making it impassable after first bridge from lower trailhead.  Multiple blowdowns are reported for this same area, but bypass routes allow access to the middle (curtain) waterfall.  At the upper (plunge) waterfall, a more recent landslide has cut off the observation platform and access to bottom of the waterfall after the second bridge from the upper parking lot.   
 
Natural Resources Specialist Brandon Olinger for Clinch Ranger District shares that the trail is being rerouted around the older, lower slide.  This section will hopefully open by late September 2019.  The newer, upper slide is seeking funding for its repair.  No timeline but aspire to have done by Fall 2020.  


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
The day use fee for USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area does not appear to be collected as no sign in present at the payment stand.  The rec area has 16 picnic areas with cooking grills and vault toilets.
$3 Day use fee for USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area, which also has 16 picnic areas with cooking grills and vault toilets.


<p>See also Forest Service trail description [http://www.fs.fed.us/outernet/r8/gwj/clinch/recreation/hiking/little_stony_nrt.shtml Forest Service trail page]
<p>See also Forest Service trail description [http://www.fs.fed.us/outernet/r8/gwj/clinch/recreation/hiking/little_stony_nrt.shtml]
<br>Clinch Ranger District (Norton, VA) Telephone: 276-679-8370.  Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM.
<br>Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Telephone: 276-328-2931.  Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM.


== After the Hike ==
== After the Hike ==
Line 69: Line 62:
== Misc. Information ==
== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
If driving to the upper parking area stop at a small pull-out half a mile from the parking area (rocks with lots of graffiti) and walk quarter mile out to Bear Rock. Spectacular views. No guard rails, use extreme caution!
If driving to the upper parking area stop at a small pull-out half a mile from the parking area (rocks with lots of graffiti) and walk .25mi out to Bear Rock. Spectacular views. No guard rails, use extreme caution!
 
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.872" lon="-82.449" type="terrain" zoom="14" width="725" height="350" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Little_Stony_Creek_Falls_Trail.kml
 
(G) 36.8609,-82.44625
Parking at lower trailhead
(G) 36.8699, -82.4632
Parking at upper trailhead
(C) 36.87788, -82.45882
Little Stony Lower Waterfall
(C) 36.87472, -82.4632
Little Stony Middle Waterfall
(L) 36.87307, -82.46282
Trail bridge
(C) 36.87133, -82.46203
Little Stony Upper Waterfall
 
</googlemap>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<gallery>
{{Map Marker
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Icon Type=Parking
Image:Placeholder.gif
|Marker Title=Parking at lower trailhead
 
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Marker Location=36.8609,-82.44625
</gallery>
}}
 
{{Map Marker
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]]. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
|Icon Type=Parking
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Medium]]
|Marker Title=Parking at upper trailhead
|Marker Location=36.8699, -82.4632
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail bridge
|Marker Title=Trail bridge #1
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek bridge1.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.86657, -82.44794
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail bridge
|Marker Title=Trail bridge #2
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek bridge2.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.874745, -82.447136
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail bridge
|Marker Title=Trail bridge #3
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek bridge3.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.877295, -82.460441
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail bridge
|Marker Title=Trail bridge #4
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek bridge4.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.872767, -82.462531
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Waterfall
|Marker Title=Little Stony Lower Waterfall
|Marker Location=36.87788, -82.45882
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Waterfall
|Marker Title=Little Stony Middle Waterfall
|Marker Description=[[Image:Middle Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.87472, -82.4632
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Waterfall
|Marker Title=Little Stony Upper Waterfall
|Marker Description=[[Image:Upper Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.87133, -82.46203
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Toilet
|Marker Title=Bathrooms at horse trailer parking lot
|Marker Location=36.86978, -82.46125
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Bear Rock overlook (not on LSC falls trail)
|Marker Location=36.87742, -82.46192
}}
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