Little Stony Creek Falls: Difference between revisions
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(Several updates - primarily trail condition based on phone call with Clinch ranger) |
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<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. --> | <!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. --> | ||
From Gate City, VA: | From Gate City, VA: | ||
#Turn onto VA 71 north (no sign here). | #Turn onto VA-71 north (no sign here). | ||
#After one mile, turn left on VA 72 and proceed north (through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon | #After one mile, turn left on VA-72 and proceed north (through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon) for 22 miles. | ||
#Look for USFS sign, to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area (about 2.6 miles north of Dungannon | #Look for USFS sign, to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area (about 2.6 miles north of Dungannon). | ||
#At extremely sharp switchback, go straight (left side of highway) into picnic area and park. | #At extremely sharp switchback, go straight (left side of highway) into picnic area and park. | ||
<br>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. | |||
Upper Parking Area: | Upper Parking Area: | ||
#Follow above directions | #Follow above directions. | ||
#Continue on | #Continue on VA-72 past the entrance to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area for an additional 6.6 miles (very curvy!) | ||
#Turn left onto | #Turn left onto SR-664 and go 1.1 miles. | ||
#Turn left onto gravel | #Turn left onto gravel Forest Service Road #700 and go 1.4 miles. | ||
#At the road split take the left ( | #At the road split take the left (Forest Service Road #701) and go one mile to gravel parking area. | ||
#Follow the trail downstream | #Follow the trail downstream. | ||
== Route Description== | == Route Description== | ||
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | <!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | ||
Hikers cross mound barriers and soon make the first of a number of fords. Continue following up creek valley. | Hikers cross mound barriers and soon make the first of a number of fords. Continue following up creek valley. Follows a former narrow gauge logging railroad grade. Couple of wood bridges cross the creek. | ||
== 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 ranger. From the severe December 2009 storm, the chain saw group has removed what blowdowns from that they could. Since 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 condition. The damaged wood bridge halfway up the trail has been repaired. | |||
==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ||
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$3 Day use fee for USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area, which also has 16 picnic areas with cooking grills and vault toilets. | $3 Day use fee for USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area, which also 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] | <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 (Wise, VA) Telephone: 276-328-2931. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM. | ||
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== Misc. Information == | == Misc. Information == | ||
<!-- 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 | 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 == | == Maps == | ||
Revision as of 13:50, 3 January 2012
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Trail Overview
Two nice waterfalls in gorge with sandstone cliffs along the sides. Hike up good trail with several bridges.
How to get there
From Gate City, VA:
- Turn onto VA-71 north (no sign here).
- After one mile, turn left on VA-72 and proceed north (through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon) for 22 miles.
- Look for USFS sign, to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area (about 2.6 miles north of Dungannon).
- 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.
Upper Parking Area:
- Follow above directions.
- 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 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.
- Follow the trail downstream.
Route Description
Hikers cross mound barriers and soon make the first of a number of fords. Continue following up creek valley. Follows a former narrow gauge logging railroad grade. Couple of wood bridges cross the creek.
Typical Conditions
1/3/2012 phone call with the Clinch ranger. From the severe December 2009 storm, the chain saw group has removed what blowdowns from that they could. Since 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 condition. The damaged wood bridge halfway up the trail has been repaired.
Fees, Permits, etc.
$3 Day use fee for USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area, which also has 16 picnic areas with cooking grills and vault toilets.
See also Forest Service trail description Forest Service trail page
Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Telephone: 276-328-2931. 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!
Maps
<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
- Placeholder.gif