Graveyard Fields Loop Trail Map

Route map of the Graveyard Field Loop Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail Map

Route map of the Graveyard Field Loop Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Graveyard Fields

Black Balsam Knob (6,214') towers above the colorful valley containing Graveyard Fields. This spot is famous for for fall foliage which peaks far ahead of the rest of the District...

Graveyard Fields Trailhead

The loop can be started from either the east or west end of the adjacent parking area. This album will follow the trail counter-clockwise and so begins down the steps seen here at the eastern start point...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

The section of the loop from the east end of the parking area down to Second Falls is by far the most popular. The USFS has seen fit, then, to pave this steep upper section of the trail to prevent erosion...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Before long the trail reaches this long series of wooden steps leading down to Yellowstone Prong...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

The loop as it arrives at its lower crossing of Yellowstone Prong...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Looking down the boulder-strewn Yellowstone Prong from the bridge in the previous shot. The point where the stream disappears ahead marks the brink of Second Falls...

Graveyard Fields Loop/Mountains-to-Sea Access Trail Junction

Just past the lower crossing of Yellowstone Prong you come to a junction where the Mountains-to-Sea Access Trail continues straight ahead and the Graveyard Fields Loop turns left. If you want to see Second Falls follow the access trail before continuing on the loop...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

As I mentioned before, this is a popular trail for seeing early fall foliage...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

The deeply eroded trail as it enters the heart of Graveyard Fields...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Graveyard Fields is so named because of the numerous blackened stumps which once filled the valley following devastating fires early in the last century. This denuded landscape gave the impression of a graveyard and the name has stuck ever since...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

The forest is starting to slowly take back the open fields, but it will likely be centuries before that process is complete...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

A long boardwalk takes the trail across the heart of the fields...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Re-entering the woods as the loop enters its western half...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Galax carpets the floor of the forest here...

Graveyard Fields Loop/Graveyard Ridge Connector Trail Junction

Perhaps 1/3-mile west of the MST Access junction the loop passes the Graveyard Ridge Connector Trail on the right...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Countless spur trails split off the main trail as you travel the loop. For the sake of the fragile landscape please keep off-trail wandering to a minimum...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Another boardwalk through the galax...

Graveyard Fields Loop/Upper Falls Trail Junction

A half-mile west of the MST Access junction and about the same distance yet from the west end trailhead at the parking lot, the trail to Upper Falls splits off to the right...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

This heavy-duty footbridge marks the loop trails upper crossing of Yellowstone Prong...

Yellowstone Prong

Looking down scenic Yellowstone Prong from the upper crossing...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Beyond the bridge the trail immediately begins its winding climb back up to the trailhead...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

A series of boardwalks again assist in getting the trail across wet terrain...

Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

Though still busy, you'll notice this half of the loop is markedly quieter than the portion you hiked earlier...

Graveyard Fields Trailhead

The trail as it arrives/departs from the western end of the parking lot at Graveyard Fields. Again, Black Balsam Knob (6,214') rises beyond.