Editing Straight Fork Ridge

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-->{{Infobox Trail
 | Image Name = * 
 | City = Ft. Blackmore 
 | State = Virginia
 | Marking = Yellow
 | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Camping}}
 | Difficulty Rating = Medium
 | Hike Time = 3
 | Distance = 3.6
 | Elevation Gain = ~1,800
 | High Point = ~3,400
 | Parking coords = 36.84433,-82.65903
 | Trailhead coords = 36.84433,-82.65903
 | Medical = Kingsport, TN
}}<!-- 

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-->{{Trail page needs
 | Hide needs = 
 | KML = 
 | Updated KML = Yes
 | Detail route description = Yes
 | Photos = Yes
 | Winter photos = 
 | Remove prefix = 
 | Update infobox = Yes
 | Infobox data update = Yes
 | Trail pins = 
 | Other = 
 | Comment = Change KML to match other pages (3 width; 100% opacity) and give proper name
 | Date reviewed = 11/22/2015
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== 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. -->
Side trail, off of Devils Fork Loop, which follows an old logging road along the Straight Fork Ridge.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Gate City, VA
#Take VA 71 east out of town.
#Turn on VA 72 and proceed north for 11 miles to and through Ft. Blackmore.
#Turn left/north onto VA 619 (Big Stoney Creek Road).
#Cross Stoney Creek and swing right with VA 619.
#After 4.3 miles on VA 619, enter the National Forest.
#Turn left past Devil Fork Fishing/Hunting Club (sign) onto a gravel road (FS Road 213/Alley Valley Rd).

<u>For the Devils Fork Loop trailhead</u>: 
#After 0.25 mile on the gravel road, turn left on a narrow right-of-way between a garage and small white house (FS Road 619).
#Parking area is in about 0.25 miles at trailhead.
Other visitors have noted that if your vehicle doesn't have good ground clearance (ie, is a sedan), you may want to park at the bottom of the hill near the creek.

<u>For the Big Cherry Road trailhead</u>:
#Continue on FS Road 213/Alley Valley Rd for long ~7 mile drive to top of ridgeline.
#Take shart left/southwest on FS Road 237/Big Cherry Road.
#Proceed ~4 miles to trailhead.
Uncertain about parking availability at this trailhead.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Two ways to hike this 1.8 mile trail: up or down.  "Up" begans at the [[Devil's Bathtub|Devils Fork Loop Trail]] taking a right at the first split in the trail.  About a quarter of the way around the northern side of the loop, the Straight Fork Ridge Trail branches off to the right/north proceed up the ridgeline. "Down" begins at the Forest Service Road and follows the ridge line down. 

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Rarely used trail.  Straight Fork Ridge is an old logging road with sometimes tall grass.

==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 or camping. 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... -->


== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
Coordinates to the Devils Bath Tub: N 36 48.802   W 082 38.979

== Maps ==
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A [http://www.explorescottcountyva.com/uploads/media/81259devilsfork.jpg trail map] is provided on the Explore Scott County website.

<display_map center="36.83,-82.649" type="terrain" zoom="13" width="auto" height="550" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Devils_Bathtub_Trail.kml,
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Straight_Fork_Trail.kml">

36.81337,-82.64956~Devil's Bathtub~ ~MarkerC.png
36.8185,-82.6266~Parking~ ~MarkerA.png
36.81945,-82.6289~Trailhead - first yellow blaze~ ~MarkerG.png
36.84433,-82.65903~Trailhead at FS Road 237/Big Cherry Road~ ~MarkerG.png
</display_map>

Note:  Google Maps does show the path on its views as "Devils Fork Loop Trail".

== Photos ==
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->

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</gallery>

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[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Camping]]  [[Category:Trail]]