This hike is long and steep both up and down. The main attraction,
for us at least, on the High Falls Hike is the solitude. This
is one of the few hikes where we didn't see another
sole the entire day. At 11.7 miles and 6.5 hours that's
saying something. The descent, following one of the two
underground gas pipelines down Great North Mountain is extremely
steep. Also, as the pipeline swath is clear
cut, at least 50ft across, there isn't any cover from the sun,
so on a warm sunny day make sure you bring a hat.
Start by turning right, crossing the steam, and following the
yellow blazed trail. In 200 yards
arrive at an old bus where the
trail splits. Bear right on
the yellow blazed trail and continue uphill as it passes through
a grassy
area
and thicket
before becoming steeper and crossing a blue blazed forestry
service
road in another 0.5 miles.
Cross
the FS road and continue uphill on the yellow blazed trail
as it becomes increasingly steeper and then traversing High Falls
Ridge arriving at the main ridge line of Great North Mountain
and the orange blazed trail in another 2.0 miles
Turn left
on the orange blazed Great North Mountain Trail continuing
on the ridge line for 4.1 miles, with several great views on
both sides of the mountain, before arriving at a transmitting
tower installation. Cross the FS road and pass the closed gate
staying to the right of the installation following
the orange blazes as you turn left slightly uphill to the ridge in another
100 yards.
Steeply descend either one of the two (they parallel each
other) underground
gas pipeline clear cuts as they go directly
downhill and cross
a FS
road in 0.5
miles. Continue steeply downhill for another 0.5 miles before
the clear cut flattens out. In 0.4 miles
after the clear cut flattens out look for the blue
blazes and small
rock
pile on the left where you will cross the stream and take the blue
blazed trail.
After crossing the stream follow the blue blazed trail as it
turns uphill for a short distance before turning right and traversing
the mountain for 1.5 miles where the purple
blazed trail will enter from the right.
Turn right on the purple blazed trail as it winds
around, crossing a stream then winding through the valley crossing
another stream and in 1.5 miles arriving back at the old bus
and the yellow blazed trail. Retake the yellow
trail
downhill
for
the remaining
200 yards re-crossing the stream and arriving back at the parking
area.
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Hiker
Reviews For The Falls Ridge Hike (5 Most Recent)
The last time we hiked this was in April/2003. It was a rainy day and the mountain was totally socked in. Today it was sunny w/o hardly a cloud in the sky. This time we had a couple of nice vistas although the summer haze has already started to settle in. With temps already in the high 80s by the time we started the hike, the intial assault to the ridge top took a lot of effort. Once there, however, it was an easy walk for several miles. The North Mountain Tr was literally lined with Fly Poison (in the Lily family) in its prime. To avoid some of the steep and sunny pipeline swath we used a gravel road mentioned here. Its bank was full of Gray Beardtounge (a flower in the Snapdragon Family). The descent along the pipeline swath was hard on the ankles since a lot of it is lose dirt and stone but once we made it to the bottom it was smooth sailng. We couldn't wait to get on the Fat Mt Tr to regain a feeling of 'woodsieness' you lose on the pipeline and fire roads.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 17, 2005
I did this hike after an ice storm. Stupid. I didn't realize before the initial ascent that, not only had the prior week's heavy snowfall not melted at the higher elevations, but that, on top of which, the most recent storm had deposited close to an inch of solid ice. The base of the hike was deceptive, to say the least. The hiking conditions by the parking lot were unrestricting, and the scenery beautiful. I was psyched. by the time I reached the ridgeline, every step had become a deliberate struggle -- a heavy stomp, followed by a high-step, followed by a heavy stomp, and so forth. Cleats wouldnt have helped; the powder beneath the ice wouldnt support much weight. Snowshoes would have been disastrous (cleated snowshoes?).
With all that ice and snow around, yes... the views were spectacular. Need I comment on the solitude? alright, yes, I was the only knucklehead on the trail that day. Very peaceful as well. I couldn't even hear any road noise; that is, when I stopped to listen between long periods of smashing windows with my feet. This hike gets five stars from me on any other day of the year.
Notes: the purple trail on the return is not well marked. I was quite surprised to find it and felt rather lucky after having done so. Also, the road sign at the right hand turn in front of the big church indicates 702 not 701 -- though it is in fact 701. (702 makes a left immediately thereafter, I believe).
By:
Chad Rudolph
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, June 12, 2005
Great hike. The ridgeline gives you a chance to make up time. We spotted a black bear cub walking our way on the ridge about mid way through, but he left us alone and ran the other direction. Keep an eye out for overturned stones on Great North Mt. Trail. If you see a cub, watch for his or her mommy. :)
We were also greeted, moreso attacked by two grouse; who ran at us with the fearlessness of a badger; who apparently were protecting nests in the brush near the trail.
The bear left us alone, but we were attacked by birds. Go figure.
Also spotted a timber rattler not far from the trail.
There is much solitude to be had on this hike. The ridge walking was great. Views were ok. The gas line right-of-way is dangerous if you have a heavy pack and you get up some speed. It is VERY steep in some areas. It was nice to see a stream at the bottom and even nicer to filter some very cold fresh stream water into the nalgenes.
Great hike. Long, but not very hard or grueling at all. Enjoyable, and would (will) definitely do it again soon.
-C
By:
MRHyker
Rating:
Date of Hike: Thursday, April 10, 2003
Since the lower Laurel Run FR gate was open Don and I were able to start the hike at the junction of the Laurel Run Connector Trail and the Falls Ridge Trail. That made the hike 10.5 miles long. It was a cloudy, rainy day and we had decided to hike UP the pipeline. (A review of the elevation profile shows little difference between going up the swath or the High Falls Trail.) Part way up we reached a gravel county road. We happily waved good-bye to the swath and followed the road, which has a long, gentle switchback to it, all the way to the top. All along the ridge we could sense views from the rock outcrops that Mr. Upward had later captured with his camera but at that point we were 100% socked in. I remember the descent on Falls Ridge Trail being quite knee-jarring. I think the pain is worth it for the views and solitude but I'll tell you something, if it's not a good day for views, chose another one of these great hikes. Oh ... call the Lee Ranger District of the GWNF to find out when the lower Laurel Run Gate is open.
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