July 1, 2021
White Twister Trail and Stonewall Creek Falls
With the threat of afternoon thunderstorms, we decided to stay a bit closer to home and a lower chance of rain. This worked well and we enjoyed the trail which was in good condition with agreement it was nice not to be walking on stones and roots, but a mostly soft bed of humus. This is an easy hike with only short sections of hills. Access to the trailhead is still less than ideal, but passable with caution. Not many wildflowers today, but Ray spotted a large gathering of trout in Stonewall Creek downstream of the falls. Stonewall Creek Falls was its usual beauty, but no one decided to take a wade in the pool below . . . we needed Trushna for that encouragement. Oh and it seemed to be a big day for ticks with four hitching a ride on our hikers.
The route
4.8 mi · 617 ft climbing · 3h 11m out, 2h 42m walking · 1.8 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
Photos (22)
Stonewall Creek Falls Today's Hikers (L-R): Bruce, Jeanne, Vic, Renee, Ray, Angela, Mike & Jenny Trail sign at start of hike. Typical trail conditions Sourwood Tree in bloom (Oxydendrum arboreum) Greater Tickseed (Coreopsis major) Indian Pipes (Monotropa uniflora) just emerging after several days of rain Japanese Spirea (Spirea japonica) Woodland lettuce (Lactuca floridana) ??? Cute little fellow! Dixie whitetop aster (Sericocarpus tortifolius) ??? Nice color! Mushroom growing in a bed of attractive, soft, tall moss. Interesting fungus! Horsefly Weed (Baptisia tinctoria) ??? Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum ) Some huckleberries found along the trail. A bit tart, but tasty. A view of Stonewall Creek midway through the hike. Lady Slipper after it blooms. Dinner anyone? A large school of trout just downstream of Stonewall Creek Falls One large Hemlock tagged and apparently has been treated to survive the Woolly Adelgid insect. Large and beautiful Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly sunning itself.