Staire Creek (Big Ivy North Tour) Ride

This route takes the rider through a scenic, lush section of Pisgah National Forest with some huge trees. The ride features a steep gravel road climb, gravel road cruising, and a very steep, technical singletrack downhill. While it's a fun ride by itself, the scenery found along the way is certainly enhances it, and includes many water features: streams, cascades and waterfalls including Walker Falls. A remote, rugged area surrounds the ride, including a couple of notable rock caves.

Directions

From Asheville, take I-240 West to US 19-23 north/I-26 West toward Weaverville. Follow this highway for just over 12 miles. Take exit 15 for NC 197, Jupiter/Barnardsville. Turn right toward Barnardsville at the end of the ramp. Follow NC 197 (a 2-lane highway) about 6 miles to the town of Barnardsville. Turn right onto Dillingham Road just past the old fire station. It's about 6 miles to the National Forest from here; stay on Dillingham Road the whole way. You will cross a few one-lane bridges, and the road will turn into gravel at FS 74; there is a sign for the Big Ivy area. Park at the picnic area, about .4 mi up this road, on the right, across a concrete bridge.

Directions on Google Maps

Details

Ride Description

Ride out of the picnic area parking lot, cross the concrete bridge, and turn right on FS 74 to begin the ride. This starts out as a gentle climb in a northerly direction along Corner Rock Creek, passing through a beautiful cove hardwood forest. After crossing the tributary draining Sugarhouse Cove, the climb quickly becomes quite steep as it starts winding uphill on Glassmine Ridge, passing an old mine site on the left. Some of the trees growing here are enormous.

About 1.8 miles from the start, the road makes a right-hand curve back to the south and levels out (::ahhh::), crosses Corner Rock Creek, and resume the climb up the opposite valley wall (::groan::) through more lush, second growth forest. In the fall, this forest becomes a tunnel of color. The road will round the ridge and pass into a cove to cross Little Andy Creek, where there is a small cascade. The climb moderates some here about 2 miles from the start, allowing you to catch your breath and more easily enjoy the lush forest setting that surround you.

After rounding Big Andy Ridge, you'll encounter a fast downhill-trending section of the road. At the bottom of this downhill is a huge cliff face on the left, called Snake's Den Rock, which is a popular rock climbing spot. A good view of Walker Ridge across Walker Creek opens up to the right here as well.

Resuming a moderate climb, you will begin to hear Walker Branch roaring below you in the cove. Appearing to the left as you catch up with the stream just under 4 miles from the start is Walker Falls, a cascading slide. The road goes right past the base of the falls, which are most impressive after wet weather but attractive anytime. 0.1 mile past Walker Falls, there is another small cascade on the left. Climbing gently, the road will go around Walker Ridge next. An easy slight uphill ride from the nose of the ridge will take you to the signed intersection with the Staire Creek trail on the right. Turn right here, uphill to start, riding through an overgrown clearing and onto the trail leading downhill back into the woods.

Check your brakes (seriously!), because this trail will drop you 1,200 vertical feet in just a little over a mile. It is very steep and technical. At the bottom of the steepest part of the descent, you'll cross a small tributary, and then the trail will pass by a huge rock cave on the right. It then switches back twice down onto an old road bed, and starts following Staire Branch downstream. Staire Branch is scenic with several nice cascades, but it's hard to notice when you're paying attention to this downhill section of trail.

The steepness moderates some, but the trail becomes quite rocky as it follows the stream downhill. At one point, the rushing water on the left can be heard in stereo as it bounces off another impressive rock face which appears to the right. A little over a mile from FS 74, you'll reach the intersection with the Walker Creek trail. Continue straight ahead, downhill.

The grade moderates considerably beyond the junction, but the trail becomes a lot muddier at the same time. Next, you'll cross Walker Creek - it may be difficult to keep your feet dry here during wet weather. You will then reach the end of the Walker Creek trail, and FS 231. Turn right.

Follow this gravel road back to the picnic area and your vehicle to finish the ride.

All Photos from This Ride

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Ride Landmarks

Map

Green highlight indicates the route to follow within the trail network for this ride.

Tip: Printing this map? You can pan and zoom the map as desired before printing to show the area you need.