Editing Roaring Branch Trail

{{Trail
|Banner Image=
|Trail Highlight=Starting waterfall, climb to a commanding view of the Powell River Valley
|Trail Marking=Yellow
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Vistas
|Difficulty Rating=
|Hike Time=1 hr
|Trail Distance=1.75 mi
|Round Trip Distance=2.14 mi
|Trail Type=Loop
|High Point=1,607 ft
|Low Point=1,325 ft
|Elevation Gain=338 ft
|Elevation Loss=338 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=Counter Clockwise
|Parking location=36.88367, -82.78789
|Trailhead location=36.88367, -82.78789
}}
{{Trail Map}}

__TOC__

== Trail Overview ==
Begin at a cascading waterfall.  Hike up along the creek through forest.  Climb the ridge line up to a rocky overlook for the Powell River valley. All within the Stone Mountain section of Jefferson National Forest.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Kingsport, TN
#Take US23 up to Big Stone Gap.
#Get off at "Exit 1" at Mile Marker 33.
#At end of exit ramp, turn left (west) onto Gilley Avenue into town for couple miles.  
#Turn right at traffic light onto 5th Street and drive thru town.
#Street becomes Roaring Branch Road.  
#Park along road by trail sign.
Narrow parking on shoulder has a couple spaces on each side of the small bridge.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
After admiring the Roaring Branch waterfall, proceed up stone stairs created by youth conservation corps.  Follow yellow blazed trail as the path continues along the stream through the forest.  Multiple stream crossings - some may be very difficult after heavy rain.  Proceed up ridge line to High Butte overlook. (Great spot for lunch.)  Reverse direction back to trailhead.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Mileage In
!Roaring Branch Trail
!Mileage Out
|-
|0.0
|Trailhead at roadside parking. Bottom of stone stairs.
|8.1
|-
|0.3
|Finally, top of the stone stairs.
|7.8
|-
|0.4
|Large blowdown, but able to step over.
|-
|0.5
|Stream crossing - rock hopping.
|7.6
|-
|1.1
|Double blaze - switchback.
|7.1
|-
|1.4
|Stream crossing - long jump or wade.
|6.7
|-
|1.7
|Stream crossing - muddy lowland.
|6.4
|-
|1.9
|Stream crossing - with stepping stones
|6.2
|-
|2.5-2.7
|Path follows alternate (overflow) stream route.
|5.4-5.6 
|-
|3.0
|Double blaze - at bottom of ridge line.  Warning: briars start appearing.
|5.1 
|-
|3.3
|Double blaze - at top of ridge line.
|4.8
|-
|3.5
|Seeing valley below.
|-
|4.1
|High Butte overlook.
|4.1
|}

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
'''*** July 2020 *** Current reports are that first 2-2.5 miles are in bad/unmaintained condition with lots of downed trees and overgrowth.''' 

Several creek crossings.  The first encountered can be made by rock hopping unless the water level is up due to heavy rain, then a nearby fallen tree might provide a bridge.  Others will require figuring out where to step to not sink into soft mud.  The creek crossing right in front of a campsite in the trail path required us to remove boots and wade.  

The mid section, still along the creek, had not yet been cleared of several small blowdowns and rhododendron growth (could be handled by loppers and a bow saw), thus required a few detours and lots of clipping.  The upper section, once emerged onto the ridgeline, changes to more open forest, but briars are then present for ankle cuts.  Blueberries are found up by the overlook (in season late July-Sept).

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No fees or permits required for day hiking.  Managed by Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Tel: 276-679-8370 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM)

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
For refreshment, there is a DQ in Big Stone Gap and a McD's at the turn for US23 heading home.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. -->

== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<display_map center="36.87,-82.816"  type="terrain" zoom="13" width="auto" height="350" scale="yes" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Roaring_Branch_Trail.kml">

36.88367,-82.78789~ ~[[File:Roaring Branch Trailhead.JPG|150px|Trailhead sign with no trail name]]~MarkerA.png
36.85002, -82.83458~ ~[[File:High Butte.jpg|150px|High Butte Overlook into Powell Valley]]~MarkerE.png
36.87819,-82.79517~Creek Crossing~[[File:Roaring Branch Trail - first creek crossing.JPG|150px|First creek crossing]]~MarkerJ.png
36.87550,-82.80042~Creek Crossing~ ~MarkerJ.png
36.86806,-82.80827~Creek Crossing~ ~MarkerJ.png
36.86592,-82.81091~Creek Crossing~ ~MarkerJ.png
36.86594,-82.81046~Creek Crossing~ ~MarkerJ.png
36.87606,-82.79976~Creek Crossing~ ~MarkerJ.png
</display_map>

[[File:Roaring Branch Trail profile.JPG]]

== Photos ==
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:Roaring Branch Trailhead.JPG|Trailhead sign with no trail name
Image:Roaring Branch Trail - stone steps.JPG|Stone steps by youth conservation corps in 1970s
Image:High Butte.jpg|High Butte Overlook into Powell Valley
Image:Roaring Branch Trail - first creek crossing.JPG|First creek crossing
Image:Roaring Branch Trail - view from High Butte.JPG|Another view from High Butte
Image:Roaring Branch Trail - wading creek crossing.JPG|Creek crossing which required wading
Image:Roaring Branch Trail - yet another creek crossing.JPG|Yet another creek crossing
Image:Roaring Branch Trail - View of Stone Mountains from High Butte.JPG|View of Stone Mountains from High Butte
Image:Roaring Branch Trail - wide creek crossing.JPG|Wide Creek Crossing
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>

<!-- 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:Overlook]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Hard]]