Laurel Creek Trail Map

Route map of the Laurel Creek Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Laurel Creek Trail Map

Route map of the Laurel Creek Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Laurel Creek/Squirrel Gap Trail Junction -- 3,050'

This spot marks the upper terminus of the Laurel Creek Trail (right), where it meets the Squirrel Gap Trail on the eastern slopes of Poundingstone Mountain...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 3,050'

The Laurel Creek Trail as it departs downhill from its upper terminus. It is 1.5-miles and a 650-foot descent from here down to the Bradley Creek Trail...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 3,000'

The Laurel Creek Trail wastes no time descending down off the ridge...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,950'

Looking back uphill as the trail begins its descent off the ridge...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,900'

The grade gets downright steep in places...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,850'

The steep terrain allows for some beautiful views down along the rhododendron-covered ridge...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,800'

The trail as it drops into the narrow valley at the head of Laurel Creek...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,770'

Overlooking the trail as it crosses a major south tributary to Laurel Creek...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,750'

Alongside the south tributary crossing is this huge campsite...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,700'

The trails surroundings press in for a while...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,680'

The trail flattens out a short while as it nears Laurel Creek itself...

Laurel Creek Trail @ Laurel Creek -- 2,660'

A half-mile after leaving the ridge the trail makes its first and only crossing of its namesake stream. It's a surprisingly wide crossing...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,640'

The path, from here on down, follows along the north side of Laurel Creek...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,620'

Looking up at the neighboring hillside...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,600'

Though it's close by, the creek remains hidden much of the time so thick is its covering of rhododendron...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,580'

Low clearance here...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,550'

It's fairly surprising how well-traveled this trail seems to be despite its remote location, and the fact it doesn't really lead anywhere of note...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,520'

Laurel Creek glistens in the sun far below...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,480'

You'll know you're nearing the lower terminus of trail when the terrain ahead begins to flatten out...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,440'

The Laurel Creek Trail as it approaches Bradley Creek from the south...

Laurel Creek Trail -- 2,420'

This is view from the point which the route reaches Bradley Creek. The Laurel Creek Trail, which does cross the creek here, seems to just end. You'll need to scramble down to the rocks seen ahead on the right to spot the trail on the opposite bank...

Laurel Creek Trail @ Bradley Creek -- 2,420'

Looking across Bradley Creek at the point where it is forded by the Laurel Creek Trail. You can just make out the path climbing the bank on the far side, next to the multi-stemmed tree on the left...