Roanoke, VA: Little Stony Creek
Twist through a sandstone gorge with a handful of waterfalls on this 7.8-miler topping out at a tabletop overlook above Jefferson National Forest.
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-Mapped by Collins Chew
Trail Facts
- Distance: 6.3
Waypoints
LSC001
Location: 36.8590393066406, -82.4477386474609
In winter, start @ gate into Hanging Rock picnic area. Head N, then turn R @ Y, crossing small stream
LSC002
Location: 36.8614692687988, -82.4459762573242
In summer, park @ far end of picnic area and pick up yellow-blazed trail. To W is aptly named Hanging Rock
LSC003
Location: 36.8631210327148, -82.4459381103516
Cliff on R; metal slats guard old coal mine. Continue along well-graded path, once a narrow-gauge railroad
LSC004
Location: 36.8666801452637, -82.4477615356445
First bridge over Little Stony Creek. Check out crags 400 ft. above
LSC005
Location: 36.8754806518555, -82.4471130371094
Second bridge crossing through dense cove of hardwoods and hemlocks
LSC006
Location: 36.8770484924316, -82.4495391845703
Tiny stream crosses trail. Note: when water is high, it’s difficult to ford
LSC007
Location: 36.8772201538086, -82.4603881835938
Bridge across Corder Branch, side stream from slim canyon to N. Look up to canyon rim; hike’s endpoint is high above
LSC008
Location: 36.8751106262207, -82.4631271362305
Reach platform overlooking Lower Falls of Little Stony Creek tumbling over ledges; bridge over creek ahead
LSC009
Location: 36.8711204528809, -82.4616775512695
Upper Falls of Little Stony Creek drop over bedrock. Cross another bridge above falls and begin climb out of gorge
LSC010
Location: 36.8698806762695, -82.4630813598633
R onto side trail to parking area, then R @ gravel road on other side of lot
LSC011
Location: 36.868709564209, -82.4644393920898
Road takes sharp R uphill, leaving yellow-blazed trail and creek behind
LSC012
Location: 36.8754501342773, -82.4645462036133
R onto trail @ small parking area along gravel road
LSC013
Location: 36.8774490356445, -82.4617156982422
Narrow plateau juts above Little Stony Creek and Corder Branch Canyons; see Brumley Mtn. far off to E. Return to car