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{{Trail
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
|Banner Image=File:Roaring Branch waterfall.JPG
{{Infobox Trail
|Trail Highlight=Starting waterfall, view of the Powell River Valley
                    | Image Name = *
|City=Big Stone Gap
                    | City = Big Stone Gap/ Appalachia
|Trail Marking=Yellow
                    | State = Virginia
|Trail Use=Hiking
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Waterfall}}
|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Vistas
                    | Difficulty Rating = Difficult
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
                    | Hike Time = 6.5-7
|Hike Time=7 hrs
                    | Distance = 8.0
|Trail Distance=3.868 mi
                    | Elevation Gain = 1420
|Round Trip Distance=7.736 mi
                    | High Point = 2810
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | Latitude = N36°53.037
|High Point=3,042 ft
                    | Longitude = W82°47.286
|Low Point=1,581 ft
                    | Medical = Big Stone Gap, VA
|Elevation Gain=1,529 ft
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
|Elevation Loss=-70 ft
                    | googlemap =  
|Elevation Change Direction=East-to-West
<googlemap lat="---" lon="---"  zoom="11" width="270" type="terrain" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
|Parking location=36.88367, -82.78789
</googlemap>
|Trailhead location=36.88367, -82.78789
}}
}}
{{Trail Map}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->


__TOC__
<!-- 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. -->
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.
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.


Line 38: Line 38:


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
[[File:Roaring branch trail profile.png|thumb|right|Profile chart]]
<!-- 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.
After admiring the heavy spring flow over the Roaring Branch waterfall, proceed up stone stairs created by youth conservation corps.  The path continues through the very large trees with little undergrowth.  Three stream crossings - first 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 ==
<!-- 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?  -->
'''*** July 2020 *** Current reports are that first 2-2.5 miles are in bad/unmaintained condition with lots of downed trees and overgrowth.'''
As reported by the NFS Ranger, the trail, primarily in the first mile and half, was cleared by volunteers of many blowdowns from the 2009 winter damage. Someone has marked with stakes and begun installing rock and log waterbars to address water flow down the trail path.


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.   
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).
The mid section, still along the creek, had not yet been cleared of several small blowdowns and rhodedron 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. ==
==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.-->
No fees or permits required for day hiking.  Managed by Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Tel: 276-679-8370 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM)
No fees or permits required for day hiking.  Managed by Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Tel: 276-328-2931 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM)


== After the Hike ==
== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
<!-- 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.
For refreshment, there is a DQ in Big Stone Gap and a McD's at the run 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. -->
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.87" lon="-82.816"  type="terrain" zoom="13" width="750" height="350" scale="yes" controls="large" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Roaring Branch Trail.kml
36.88395,-82.7881,Roaring Branch Trail
36.85002, -82.83458,High Butte overlook
</googlemap>
 
[[File:Roaring Branch Trail profile.JPG]]


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<gallery>
{{Map Marker
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Icon Type=Parking
Image:High Butte.jpg|High Butte Overlook into Powell Valley
|Marker Title=Trailhead
Image:Roaring Branch Trailhead.JPG|Trailhead sign with no trail name
|Marker Description=[[File:Roaring Branch Trailhead.JPG|150px|Trailhead sign with no trail name]]
Image:
|Marker Location=36.88367,-82.78789
 
}}
 
{{Map Marker
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Icon Type=Overlook
</gallery>
|Marker Title=Overlook
 
|Marker Description=[[File:High Butte.jpg|150px|High Butte Overlook into Powell Valley]]
<!-- 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. -->
|Marker Location=36.85002, -82.83458
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Overlook]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Difficult]]
}}
{{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
}}
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