Graveyard Fields Loop Trail (#358)
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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...
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...
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...
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...
Before long the trail reaches this long series of wooden steps leading down to Yellowstone Prong...
The loop as it arrives at its lower crossing of Yellowstone Prong...
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...
As I mentioned before, this is a popular trail for seeing early fall foliage...
The deeply eroded trail as it enters the heart of Graveyard Fields...
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...
The forest is starting to slowly take back the open fields, but it will likely be centuries before that process is complete...
A long boardwalk takes the trail across the heart of the fields...
Re-entering the woods as the loop enters its western half...
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...
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...
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...
This heavy-duty footbridge marks the loop trails upper crossing of Yellowstone Prong...
Looking down scenic Yellowstone Prong from the upper crossing...
Beyond the bridge the trail immediately begins its winding climb back up to the trailhead...
A series of boardwalks again assist in getting the trail across wet terrain...
