Roaring Branch Trail

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Roaring Branch waterfall.JPG
Trail Name Roaring Branch Trail
Nearest City Big Stone Gap/ Appalachia
State Virginia
Trail Marking {{{Marking}}}
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.pngDnr waterfall.png
Difficulty Rating Difficult
Hiking Time 6.5-7"-7" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property.
Distance, round-trip 8.08 mi <br />12.875 km <br />
Climb/Descent Elevation 14201,420 Feet <br />432.816 Meters <br /> / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.
High Point 28102,810 Feet <br />936.667 Yards <br />856.488 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Big Stone Gap, VA
Trip Reports Click Here
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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

From Kingsport, TN

  1. Take US23 up to Big Stone Gap.
  2. Get off at "Exit 1" at Mile Marker 33.
  3. At end of exit ramp, turn left (west) onto Gilley Avenue into town for couple miles.
  4. Turn right at traffic light onto 5th Street and drive thru town.
  5. Street becomes Roaring Branch Road.
  6. Park along road by trail sign.

Narrow parking on shoulder has a couple spaces on each side of the small bridge.

AFAICT you've covered all the bases with this anwser!

Typical Conditions

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.

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.

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

For refreshment, there is a DQ in Big Stone Gap and a McD's at the turn for US23 heading home.

Misc. Information

Maps

<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 (A) 36.88367,-82.78789 Trailhead sign with no trail name (E) 36.85002, -82.83458 High Butte Overlook into Powell Valley (J) 36.87819,-82.79517 First creek crossing (J) 36.87550,-82.80042 creek crossing (J) 36.86806,-82.80827 creek crossing (J) 36.86592,-82.81091 creek crossing (J) 36.86594,-82.81046 creek crossing (J) 36.87606,-82.79976 creek crossing </googlemap>

Roaring Branch Trail profile.JPG

Photos

  • Trailhead sign with no trail name

  • Stone steps by youth conservation corps in 1970s

  • High Butte Overlook into Powell Valley

  • First creek crossing

  • Another view from High Butte

  • Creek crossing which required wading

  • Yet another creek crossing

  • View of Stone Mountains from High Butte

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