Editing Roaring Branch Trail

{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:Roaring Branch waterfall.JPG
|Trail Highlight=Starting waterfall, view of the Powell River Valley
|City=Big Stone Gap
|Trail Marking=Yellow
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Vistas
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
|Hike Time=7 hrs
|Trail Distance=3.868 mi
|Round Trip Distance=7.736 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=3,042 ft
|Low Point=1,581 ft
|Elevation Gain=1,529 ft
|Elevation Loss=-70 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=East-to-West
|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. -->
#Take US23 to Big Stone Gap.
#Take the exit onto Gilley Avenue into town for couple miles.  
#Turn right on 5th Street and drive thru town.
#Street becomes Roaring Branch Road.  
#Park along road by trail sign.

== Route Description==
[[File:Roaring branch trail profile.png|thumb|right|Profile chart]]
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.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Trailhead
|Marker Description=[[File:Roaring Branch Trailhead.JPG|150px|Trailhead sign with no trail name]]
|Marker Location=36.88367,-82.78789
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Overlook
|Marker Description=[[File:High Butte.jpg|150px|High Butte Overlook into Powell Valley]]
|Marker Location=36.85002, -82.83458
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Creek Crossing
|Marker Description=[[File:Roaring Branch Trail - first creek crossing.JPG|150px|First creek crossing]]
|Marker Location=36.87819,-82.79517
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Creek Crossing
|Marker Location=36.87550,-82.80042
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Creek Crossing
|Marker Location=36.86806,-82.80827
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Creek Crossing
|Marker Location=36.86592,-82.81091
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Creek Crossing
|Marker Location=36.86594,-82.81046
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Creek Crossing
|Marker Location=36.87606,-82.79976
}}