Straight Fork Ridge
|
Trail Overview[edit]
Side trail, off of Devils Fork Loop, which follows an old logging road along the Straight Fork Ridge.
How to get there[edit]
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).
For the Devils Fork Loop trailhead:
- 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.
For the Big Cherry Road trailhead:
- 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[edit]
Two ways to hike this 1.8 mile trail: up or down. "Up" begans at the 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[edit]
Rarely used trail. Straight Fork Ridge is an old logging road with sometimes tall grass.
Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]
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[edit]
Misc. Information[edit]
See also the excellent write-up in [Explore Scott County] website.
No facilities at the parking lot. Bring your own water.
Maps[edit]
A trail map is provided on the Explore Scott County website.
Note: Google Maps does show the path on its views as "Devils Fork Loop Trail".