Editing Little Stony Creek Falls

{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:Upper Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG
|Trail Highlight=Rock-lined gorge with sandstone cliffs and cascading creek to view two different waterfalls
|Trail Number=FS# 331
|City=Dungannon
|Land Owner=George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
|Trail Marking=Yellow
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Mountains
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=3 hrs
|Trail Distance=2.608 mi
|Round Trip Distance=5.2 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=2,199 ft
|Low Point=1,514 ft
|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
}}
{{Announcement
 |Title=Trail Portion Closure
 |Body=Currently officially closed (May 2018) between first bridge from lower trailhead to second bridge from upper access. See portion marked in red below. This is due to a landslide covering the trail. Visit the [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=79249 Forest Service website] for latest details.
}}
</br>
{{Trail Map}}

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

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Gate City, VA to <u>lower trailhead</u>:
#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.
#Look for USFS sign, to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area (about 2.6 miles north of Dungannon).
#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.


To <u>upper parking area</u>:
#Follow above directions.
#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 and go 1.1 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==
[[File:Little stony creek falls profile.png|thumb|right]]
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]].

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- 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:
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. ==
<!-- 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.

<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.

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Where to get a good meal after a long days hike. Because I know everyone will be hungry!! -->

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- 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!

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Parking at lower trailhead
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.8609,-82.44625
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|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
}}