"Big Creek, Bigger Climb"

This long and relatively remote trail connects the Trace Ridge trail system with the Blue Ridge Parkway. The lower two-thirds is relatively flat as it follows the beautiful river valley of Big Creek. Numerous potentially wet fords are located along this stretch, meaning that hiking this stretch is ill-advised during periods of high water. The upper third of the trail involves much greater effort to hike as there is 2,000-feet of vertical change between Big Creek and the Parkway in a relatively short two-mile stretch. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow though is difficult to hike in its entirety do to its length and lack of convenient connecting loops.

GPS Coordinates:  35.419972, -82.675719 (Spencer Branch Trail Junction)

GPS Coordinates:  35.420591, -82.743373 (Blue Ridge Parkway Junction)

Album Direction-Of-Travel: Westbound

Highlights: Big Creek, Hendersonville Reservoir, Long Distance Views @ Blue Ridge Parkway

Length (one-way): 4.9 miles

Petzoldt+ Rating: 12.50

Difficulty:  EXTREME

Total Elevation Gain: 2,500' (E to W)

Elevation Gain/Mile: 510'/mile (E to W)

Min. Elevation: 2,440'

Max. Elevation: 4,800'

Blaze Color: YELLOW

See Following Trip Reports for more info:

Big Creek Trail (Lower)

Big Creek/Laurel Mountain Upper Loop

Connecting Trails:

Spencer Branch Trail (#600)