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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_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
                    | Marking = Yellow
|Trail Use=Hiking
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Mountains
                    | Season = Year Round
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Difficulty Rating = Moderate
|Hike Time=3 hrs
                    | Distance = 5.2
|Trail Distance=2.608 mi
                    | Elevation Gain = 700
|Round Trip Distance=5.2 mi
                    | High Point = 2192
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | Latitude = 36.8609
|High Point=2,199 ft
                    | Longitude = -82.44625
|Low Point=1,514 ft
                    | Medical = Kingsport, TN
|Elevation Gain=681 ft
|Elevation Loss=15 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
|Parking location=36.8609, -82.44625
|Trailhead location=36.8609, -82.44625
}}
}}
{{Trail Map}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
 
<!-- Start of Main Page -->
__TOC__


== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- 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. -->
Hike in deep, rock-lined gorge with sandstone cliffs and cascading creek to view two different waterfalls - a curtain and a plunge.
Hike in deep, rock-lined gorge with sandstone cliffs and cascading creek to view two different waterfalls - a curtain and a plunge.


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#Follow above directions.
#Follow above directions.
#Continue on VA-72 past the entrance to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area for an additional 6.6 miles (very curvy!)
#Continue on VA-72 past the entrance to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area for an additional 6.6 miles (very curvy!)
#Turn left onto SR-664 (Corder Town Rd) and go 1.1 miles.
#Turn left onto SR-664 and go 1.1 miles.
#Turn left onto gravel Forest Service Road #700 and go 1.4 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.
#At the road split take the left (Forest Service Road #701) and go one mile to gravel parking area.
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== 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]].
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.


== 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:
The severe damage from the December 2009 storm has been cleared and the wood bridge halfway up the trail repaired.
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 slideThis 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.  
7/29/12 - While only a few blowdowns were encountered on the trail, the primary issue is that the path is collapsing into the creek in several places, thus providing difficult crossingRecommendation is to create a raised boardwalk anchored into the hillside as the sides of the gorge will continue to be scoured by heavy runoff.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
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<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  Forest Service trail page]
<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 ==
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<!-- 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 quarter mile 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.kml
(A) 36.8609,-82.44625
Parking at lower trailhead
[[Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|50px]]
(A) 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
[[Image:Middle Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|50px]]
(L) 36.87307, -82.46282
Trail bridge
(C) 36.87133, -82.46203
Little Stony Upper Waterfall
[[Image:Upper Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|50px]]
</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:Upper_Falls_of_Little_Stony_Creek.jpg|Upper falls at low flow‎
|Marker Title=Parking at lower trailhead
Image:Middle Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|Middle falls
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]
Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|Trailhead sign
|Marker Location=36.8609,-82.44625
 
}}
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
{{Map Marker
</gallery>
|Icon Type=Parking
 
|Marker Title=Parking at upper trailhead
<!-- 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. -->
|Marker Location=36.8699, -82.4632
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Medium]]
}}
{{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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