Little Stony Creek Falls: Difference between revisions

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(Updated Trail Conditions - thanks to Jerry Schlater for prompting action with his inquiry)
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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article.  
{{Trail
|Banner Image=
|Park=
|Trail Marking=Yellow
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Vistas, Mountains
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=3 hrs
|Trail Distance=2.193 mi
|Round Trip Distance=4.4 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=3,773 ft
|Low Point=2,841 ft
|Elevation Gain=319 ft
|Elevation Loss=1,162 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Parking location=36.8609, -82.44625
|Trailhead location=36.8609, -82.44625
}}
{{Trail Map}}


-->{{Infobox Trail
__TOC__
                    | Image Name = Upper_Falls_Little_Stony_Creek.JPG
                    | Hike Time = 3
                    | City = Dungannon
                    | State = Virginia
                    | Marking = Yellow
                    | Trail Number = FT #331
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
                    | Season = Year Round
                    | Difficulty Rating = Moderate
                    | Distance = 5.2
                    | Elevation Gain = 700
                    | High Point = 2192
                    | Latitude = 36.8609
                    | Longitude = -82.44625
                    | Medical = Kingsport, TN
}}<!--


End Infobox template table
-->{{Trail page needs
| Hide needs =
| KML =
| Updated KML =
| Detail route description = Yes
| Photos =
| Winter photos =
| Remove prefix =
| Update infobox = Yes
| Infobox data update = Yes
| Trail pins =
| Other =
| Comment =
| Date reviewed = 10/31/2015
}}<!--
Start of Main Page -->
== 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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== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
[[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]].
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]].


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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. -->
<display_map center="36.872,-82.449" type="terrain" zoom="14" width="auto" height="350" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Little_Stony_Creek_Falls.kml">
36.8609,-82.44625~Parking at lower trailhead~[[Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]~MarkerA.png
36.8699, -82.4632~Parking at upper trailhead~ ~MarkerA.png
36.86657, -82.44794~Trail bridge #1~[[Image:Little Stony Creek bridge1.jpg|150px]]~MarkerL.png
36.874745, -82.447136~Trail bridge #2~[[Image:Little Stony Creek bridge2.jpg|150px]]~MarkerL.png
36.877295, -82.460441~Trail bridge #3~[[Image:Little Stony Creek bridge3.jpg|150px]]~MarkerL.png
36.872767, -82.462531~Trail bridge #4~[[Image:Little Stony Creek bridge4.jpg|150px]]~MarkerL.png
36.87788, -82.45882~Little Stony Lower Waterfall~ ~MarkerC.png
36.87472, -82.4632~Little Stony Middle Waterfall~[[Image:Middle Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|150px]]~MarkerC.png
36.87133, -82.46203~Little Stony Upper Waterfall~[[Image:Upper Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|150px]]~MarkerC.png
36.86978, -82.46125~Bathrooms at horse trailer parking lot~ ~MarkerQ.png
36.87742, -82.46192~Bear Rock overlook (not on LSC falls trail)~ ~MarkerE.png
</display_map>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
<gallery>
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
{{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}}
Image:Upper_Falls_of_Little_Stony_Creek.jpg|Upper falls at low flow‎
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Parking at upper trailhead|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.8699, -82.4632}}
Image:Middle Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|Middle falls
{{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}}
Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|Trailhead sign
{{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}}
Image:Little Stony Creek.JPG|Typical view along trail
{{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}}
Image:LittleStonyFallsFrozen.jpg|A view of the frozen falls
{{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}}
Image:LittleStonyCreekFalls.jpg|A view along the creek in winter
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Waterfall|Marker Title=Little Stony Lower Waterfall|Marker Description= |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}}
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
{{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}}
</gallery>
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Toilet|Marker Title=Bathrooms at horse trailer parking lot|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.86978, -82.46125}}
 
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Overlook|Marker Title=Bear Rock overlook (not on LSC falls trail)|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.87742, -82.46192}}
<!-- 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. -->
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Medium]]

Revision as of 11:13, 19 January 2020

Little Stony Creek Falls

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Located
Trail Marking Yellow
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

Hiking

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

VistasMountains

Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 3 hrs0.188 Days <br />180 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 2.193 mi3.529 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 4.4 mi7.081 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type In-and-Out
Low / High Point 2,841 ft947 Yards <br />865.937 Meters <br />3,773 ft1,257.667 Yards <br />1,150.01 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 319 ft97.231 Meters <br /> / (1,162 ft354.178 Meters <br />) – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list 2 trails / 4.3 mi of trail
Parking 36° 51' 39.24" N, 82° 26' 46.50" W Map
Trailhead 36° 51' 39.24" N, 82° 26' 46.50" W 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.

NOTE: Currently officially closed (May 2018) between first bridge from lower trailhead to second bridge from upper access.

How to get there

From Gate City, VA to lower trailhead:

  1. Turn onto VA-71 north (no sign here).
  2. After one mile, turn left on VA-72 and proceed north (through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon) for 22 miles.
  3. Look for USFS sign, to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area (about 2.6 miles north of Dungannon).
  4. 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 upper parking area:

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

Route Description

Little stony creek falls profile.png

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

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.

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.

See also Forest Service trail description Forest Service trail page
Clinch Ranger District (Norton, VA) Telephone: 276-679-8370. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM.

After the Hike

Misc. Information

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