Big Creek Trail Map

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Big Creek Trail (#102)


"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:  9.90

Difficulty: VERY HARD

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)


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