Day Hike 3: Holloway Mountain Road Parking Area to Trout Lake
Wet ‘n’ Wild
Distance: 7.6 miles, plus 0.3-mile connector trail
- Difficulty: Moderate with two strenuous segments—steep uphill climb at 3.1 miles and a stout climb at 4.9 miles of more than 500 vertical feet in less than a half mile. Rocky passages along the creek bed and several rock-hopping creek crossings.
- Camping: One site on the north side of Boone Fork (permit needed). Price Lake campground within a half mile of trail from point where MST parts with Tanawha Trail. 877.444.6777 for reservations (half the sites may be reserved in advance), 828.963.5911 to reach the campground.
- Land manager: National Park Service.
- Volunteer Task Force Leader: Randy Johnson, ranjohns@aol.com.
- Piggyback trails: Tanawha, Boone Fork.
- Connecting trails: Tanawha, Boone Fork, Moses Cone Carriage Trails.
This passage through Boone Fork is easily the wettest crossing on the northern Blue Ridge Parkway stretch of the MST.
Two miles down the trail (hiking from west to east), the trail parallels and frequently crosses Bee Tree Creek. You will cross Bee Tree Creek and later Boone Fork several times by rock-hopping and using several bridges, including the 80-foot bridge across Boone Fork.
After a short rise from the Boone Fork bridge, you’re in for a mellow walk along an old roadbed. The trail couldn’t be more different, passing through an old growth forest that aurally escapes the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. At 4.9 miles, it’s time for take-off as the trail climbs more than 500 feet in just under a half-mile. Finish with a mellow descent to Trout Lake.
For detailed hiking directions and parking information, download the Segment 5 guide from our Trail Guides page, using the “Primary Trailheads” section to pinpoint the location. You can also visualize the route on our interactive map; click “Day Hikes” to view the endpoints.
