Summary:
Cross a 600-ft granite dome for numerous panoramic views over the North Carolina hills.

This circuit combines the best trails in the Park – Stone Mountain Loop, Cedar Rock and Wolf Rock – for a spectacular half-day hike of expansive views and waterfalls. Although the trails are marked as strenuous on the Park map, they are really not hard work, other than a few short, steep climbs.

Shortly after setting out from the trailhead, take the left fork signed to the summit of Stone Mountain. The clear trail climbs through shrubs and trees, and up some log steps. The gradient is fairly steady to begin with, made a bit easier by a few switchbacks up the hillside.

As you head onto bare rock it gets a lot, lot steeper, but one of the great things about this hike is that you don’t have to wait long for a reward. The steep climb to the massive granite dome of Stone Mountain is short, and you reach it in around 20 minutes. Firstly, to your right, a bare rock face offers a gorgeous view over forested hills, with vibrant autumn leaf colors. Visibility is very good compared with the often hazy vistas of the Great Smoky Mountains. Continue up the steep trail for just another minute or so and bear left onto granite. Now you can work your way up the very steep granite slope to the summit of Stone Mountain, with panoramic views at every turn.

Yellow paint marks on the rock show the best route across the top. Clusters of trees dot the granite, and the trail passes through them. No sooner do you head into the trees and lose the views, then you emerge onto bare rock once again for more expansive vistas. A really excellent thing about Stone Mountain is that, although it is popular, particularly at weekends, such is the size of its massive granite dome that there are plenty of places to sit in solitude and have the panorama all to yourself. This is certainly not a trail you can hurry as there are just too many good views; you should certainly allow plenty of time to soak it all in.

Eventually, complete the crossing of the dome and head through beautiful deciduous trees on a level, easy trail. In 15 minutes a sign proclaims ’200 ft falls ahead. Fatalities have occurred here. Use extreme caution’. You are now at Stone Mountain Falls, and the fact that it has probably taken close to 1.5 hours to cover the 2 miles to this point is certainly a reflection of the wonderful views at every turn. This is a popular spot with families, and probably explains the wooden fence erected between you and Big Sandy Creek, which plunges down the sheer granite cliff. Wooden steps and boardwalk lead down to viewing platforms. If this is not your thing (a bit man-made for our liking, and very busy), head quickly down the steps. The trail continues along the creek, and it seems that most people do not venture this far, because almost immediately the trail is peaceful once more.

10 minutes later, a spur trail to the Middle and Lower Falls heads sharp left, marked by blue disks. Although less dramatic in scale than Stone Mountain Falls, the water gently cascading through water-carved rocks and the peaceful forest make these lovely places to sit and relax for a while. Allow an extra 45 minutes for the 1.5-mile round-trip (1 mile return to Middle Falls, plus 0.5 mile return to include Lower Falls).

Continue on the Stone Mountain Loop Trail along Big Sandy Creek for another 20 minutes; in a few places you have to cross the water using stepping-stones. The trail climbs gently as you approach the meadow that stretches in front of the looming south face of Stone Mountain. The 1 mile Cedar Rock Trail heads away sharp left, but before turning onto this trail, continue ahead just a few steps onto the meadow. This is a good spot to look for climbers on the mountain’s sheer, streaked granite face.

Cedar Rock Trail climbs gently to a junction with Black Jack Ridge Trail, where you turn right to Cedar Rock. Now the climbing is pretty steep, but it is only a few minutes to the bare expanse of granite that spreads out on both sides of the trail. To the right, a magnificent panorama of Stone Mountain, with a clear view of the route across the dome; to the left, forested hills roll away into the distance. Again, there is lots of space for solitude and great views, and few people seem to make it up here.

The trail heads to the left over the granite, the way marked by red paint. There are more great views as you cross the rock, temporarily interrupted as you pass through a cluster of trees. A short descent from the granite leads to another junction with Black Jack Ridge, where you turn right onto the 1.5 mile Wolf Rock Trail.

After no more than a minute of gentle climbing through the trees, the trail forks. The left fork is a short spur to Wolf Rock, another huge rock outcrop, another fabulous view of mountain ridges. Again it may well be deserted, the only sound the wind in the trees. When you can tear yourself away, retrace your steps and take the right fork to complete the loop.

For 20 minutes the easy trail winds through the forest, finally descending to a junction. It is straight on to return to the parking area (signed ‘comfort station’). In another two or three minutes the loop is completed and you veer left to reach the car park in another couple of minutes. We were surprised to find the car park so busy, given that we had Cedar and Wolf Rocks all to ourselves and the descent along Wolf Rock Trail had been practically deserted.

Directions: From the Blue Ridge Parkway, take US 21 south to Roaring Gap, then turn right onto SR 1100, following the signs to the State Park. If approaching from the south, exit I-77 at Elkin and continue north on US 21. Turn left onto SR 1002, which leads into the Park via the John P Frank Parkway.

Trailhead: From the Park entrance, continue on the John P Frank Parkway to the parking area at the end of the paved road.

Length: 5.5 miles / 8.8 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: N/A

Duration: 3.5 hours

Trail Condition: Well-maintained forest trails and large sections of granite. Easy to follow and well blazed – Stone Mountain Loop, orange disks; Cedar Rock, red squares; Wolf Rock, red disks.

Features: Expansive views from huge granite outcrops; forests with autumn leaf color; creek, waterfall and cascades; meadow.

Climate: Late spring (flowering shrubs) and fall (colorful foliage) are particularly recommended.

Accommodation: Tent and RV sites inside the Park (open year-round). Motels in Sparta (north on US 21); off I-77 near Elkin; Wilkesboro to the south; Jefferson to the west.

Trail Notes: Trail maps are available outside the Park office, just beyond the entrance on the John P Frank Parkway. Steep granite tops could be treacherous in wet or icy conditions – follow trail markings to avoid sheer drops.

Summary:
A peaceful walk along creeks and through forest, with the bonus of colorful leaf displays in fall.

Just beyond the car park, the level, wide Deep Creek Trail heads alongside the creek to a bridge. This tends to be the busiest part of the hike, and as you cross the bridge and start a gentle climb, things begin to get quieter. The first trail junction is reached after 15 minutes, marking the start of the loop.

Turn right along the Indian Creek Trail, and soon you pass the small cascade of Indian Creek Falls. The trail continues to climb gently as you head to the top of the cascade. Cross a wooden bridge and continue climbing with the creek now on your right. 10 minutes from the Indian Creek Trail junction, the trail levels (ignore the turning on your right to Stone Pile Gap Trail), and 5 minutes later turn left along the Loop Trail.

A steep climb now, on a narrow path through rhododendron bushes and possibly a couple of muddy patches. A trickle of water flows on the left and deciduous trees rise overhead. The humidity in the forest is noticeable, and particularly oppressive with the effort of climbing (fortunately only the first half of the Loop Trail climbs, the other 0.5 mile is all downhill).

Climb steadily as the trail curves to the left. Through the trees you catch glimpses of forested hills in the distance. 0.5 mile along the Loop Trail, the Sunkota Ridge Trail heads off sharp right. You continue ahead following the sign to Deep Creek, the trail quickly bearing right.

The climb is now over and you head down through the forest (in autumn, a thick covering of leaves on the ground hides exposed tree roots). Through the trees you can see the hazy blue outline of the Smoky Mountains in the distance. This part of the trail is especially delightful, deserted and tranquil, with just the sound of wind rustling the leaves and woodpeckers drilling on tree trunks overhead.

Soon you start to hear the river again, hidden from view for the moment. The rush of the river grows louder as you descend, and soon you can see it through the trees to the left. The descent eases into a level gradient and, an hour or so after setting out from the trailhead, you reach the junction at the end of the Loop Trail.

Take a left over the bridge to rejoin the Deep Creek Trail (as indicated by the sign, there is now only 1 mile to the final trail junction and 1.7 miles to the end of the hike). Head along the wide, level track with the river to your left. The path veers away from the river for a short time; when you rejoin it, look behind for a beautiful vista of the river with a backdrop of forested hills – especially lovely in autumn with the vivid leaf colors of rusts, oranges and greens.

Continue on, crossing a couple of bridges to the final trail junction. This marks the end of the loop. The car park is now just 15 minutes away, following the same route along Deep Creek that you took on the way in.

Useful Link
For more information on all aspects of the Great Smoky Mountains – including news, weather, activites, events and wildlife – visit GreatSmoky.com.

Directions: From Cherokee at the south entrance of the National Park, take US 19 into Bryson City. Turn right, following the signs to Deep Creek Campground. This will take you onto Deep Creek Road, and soon you re-enter the National Park.

Trailhead: Car park on the left, at the end of Deep Creek Road.

Length: 4 miles / 6.4 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 820 ft / 250 m

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: Generally wide tracks, well-signed and easy to follow.

Features: Forest, creeks and small cascades.

Climate: Changeable in winter and early spring, with some snow at these lower elevations. Hot and hazy in mid-summer, with thunderstorms. Late spring and autumn tend to be warm and sunny, but expect rain at any time.

Accommodation: Camping at Deep Creek. Plenty of motels in Bryson City or further away in Cherokee.

Trail Notes: Trail maps and guides available from the Oconaluftee visitor center at the south entrance of the National Park.