Little Stony Creek Falls: Difference between revisions

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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
{{Infobox Trail
|Banner Image=File:Upper Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG
                    | Image Name = Upper_Falls_of_Little_Stony_Creek.jpg‎
|Trail Highlight=Rock-lined gorge with sandstone cliffs and cascading creek to view two different waterfalls
                    | Hike Time = 3-4
|Trail Number=FS# 331
                    | City = Dungannon
|City=Dungannon
                    | State = Virginia
|Land Owner=Cherokee National Forest
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}
|Trail Marking=Yellow
                    | Season = Year Round
|Trail Use=Hiking
                    | Difficulty Rating = Moderate
|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Mountains
                    | Distance = 5.2
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Elevation Gain = 800
|Hike Time=3 hrs
                    | High Point = *
|Trail Distance=2.608 mi
                    | Latitude = N36°51.675
|Round Trip Distance=5.2 mi
                    | Longitude = W082°26.775
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | Medical = Kingsport, TN
|High Point=2,199 ft
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
|Low Point=1,514 ft
                    | googlemap =
|Elevation Gain=681 ft
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.8609" lon="-82.44625" type="map" zoom="9" width="270" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
|Elevation Loss=15 ft
36.8609,-82.44625,Little Stony Creek Falls lower trailhead
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
</googlemap>
|Parking location=36.8609, -82.44625
|Trailhead location=36.8609, -82.44625
}}
}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
{{Announcement
<!-- Start of Main Page -->
|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}}
 
__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.
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 ==
Line 40: Line 46:
#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 and go 1.1 miles.
#Turn left onto SR-664 (Corder Town Rd) 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.
Line 46: Line 52:


== 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]]
Hikers cross mound barriers and soon make the first of a number of fordsContinue following up creek valley.  Follows a former narrow gauge logging railroad gradeCouple of wood bridges cross the creek.
From the Hanging Rock Recreation Area, this yellow-blazed trail winds up the deep rock-strewn gorge carved by the cascading Little Stony CreekFollow former narrow gauge logging railroad up creek valleyStream 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 ==
<!-- 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?  -->
1/3/2012 phone call with the Clinch rangerFrom the severe December 2009 storm, the chain saw group has removed what blowdowns from that they couldSince then, an expert crew has begun to clear the "technical" (difficult and potentially dangerous) downed trees; however, the trail is passible (may require climbing over/around/under fallen trees) but not back to its former conditionThe damaged wood bridge halfway up the trail has been repaired.
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 noticeSince Summer 2012, a landslide has removed a section of the trail making it impassable after first bridge from lower trailheadMultiple 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 repairNo 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.-->
$3 Day use fee for USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area, which also has 16 picnic areas with cooking grills and vault toilets.
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]
<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 (Wise, VA) Telephone: 276-328-2931.  Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM.
<br>Clinch Ranger District (Norton, VA) Telephone: 276-679-8370.  Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM.


== After the Hike ==
== After the Hike ==
Line 66: Line 75:
<!-- 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_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 ==
<gallery>
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
{{Map Marker
Image:Placeholder.gif
|Icon Type=Parking
 
|Marker Title=Parking at lower trailhead
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]
</gallery>
|Marker Location=36.8609,-82.44625
 
}}
<!-- 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. -->
{{Map Marker
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Medium]]
|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
}}

Revision as of 00:02, 2 March 2020

Little Stony Creek Falls

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Upper Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG
Highlight Rock-lined gorge with sandstone cliffs and cascading creek to view two different waterfalls
Trail Number FS# 331
Land Owner Cherokee National Forest
Located Dungannon, Virginia
Trail Marking Yellow
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

Hiking

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

WaterfallsMountains

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: 2.608 mi4.197 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 5.2 mi8.369 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 1,514 ft504.667 Yards <br />461.467 Meters <br />2,199 ft733 Yards <br />670.255 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 681 ft207.569 Meters <br /> / (15 ft4.572 Meters <br />) – South-to-North
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 Portion Closure

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 Forest Service website for latest details.


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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

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