Staire Creek Trail

At A Glance

More Difficult

1.1 mi one-way

Difficulty Rating: 1.1 (More Difficult)
Steepness: Climbs Steeply
Tread Condition: Some Obstacles
Blaze Color: Orange
Trail Number: 183
Rides That Use This Trail: Staire Creek (Big Ivy North Tour), Big Ivy Tour (Coleman Boundary)

Description

Note: major maintenance work was started on this trail in Fall 2015 and the Forest Service has announced its closure to horses and bikes while that is completed. Expected re-opening is March 2016.

This trail is typically ridden in the downhill direction. A great, technical, steep descent through a beautiful mature hardwood forest with a smattering of rhododendrons lower down. Starts with a short ridge-top section before becoming sidehill and seriously down. It is muddy, rocky, and rooty in places; there are some eroded sections.

The lower portion follows the rugged, picturesque creek and levels out some, but becomes extremely rocky. Several huge rock caves are along the trail - at one point the rushing water can be heard in stereo as it bounces off a rock face. There are some wet and muddy spots. Part of the Staire Creek and Coleman Boundary Grand Tour best rides.

Some of the jumps and features being built along this trail are technically not on it; please stay on the designated path and do not add to these structures as they are illegally constructed.

Intersecting Trails

  • Bear Pen
  • Walker Creek

    • This trail is located in the Big Ivy (Coleman Boundary) area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Big Ivy (Coleman Boundary) trails list page.

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    Total Calculated Length: 1.12 mi

    This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.

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    Ratings

    Average Rating: 4.5 (rated 2 times)

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    Comments

    Tyler K. said: This is a lovely little trail to take your time and soak in the good vibes down by creek. Staire creek is gently cascading over rounded mossy rocks and is lined with rhododendron and mountain dog hobble. There are lots of interesting eddies and pools to explore for aquatic life. About 1/2-3/4 of a mile in you get to a cool cave, which is apparently a climbing spot (chalk marks on holds) which has some sweet rock furniture and fire pit that someone made. There is a geocache there (make sure to leave a note) full of inspiration. Sadly, in the forest of this area, you can see the devastation left by the hemlock wooly adelgid, but you can also see the understory transitioning into heath shrubs, which is kind of neat. The trail past the cave becomes very very steep and tiring, so I opted to not go any further, however I was very pleased to spend an hour or so hanging out in the creek. If you are looking to put some miles in on a hike, this isn't the greatest trail for you (unless you connect to other trails) but it is well worth a walk because it is a beautiful rich cove. Plan your hike accordingly because it gets dark and very cool down in this holler earlier than other places. Maybe I'll see you there!
    Wednesday, December 11 2013 6:37pm
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