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A main access trail into the backcountry of the South Mountains.


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Map Key

2.2

Miles

3.6

KM

Point to Point

2,127' 648 m

High

1,349' 411 m

Low

784' 239 m

Up

6' 2 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This trail starts at the Jacob Fork Parking Area, the main access point to the trails of South Mountains State Park. The trail then follows Shinny Creek to the campsites before starting to climb more steeply up to the ridge and intersecting the Upper Falls Trail. There is a good view near the top of the trail. The trail is shared with hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and horses, so use caution and yield the right of way appropriately.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brandon Thrower

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 8 votes

#23795

Overall
  3.5 from 8 votes
5 Star
13%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
38%
2 Star
13%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#926

in North Carolina

#23,795

Overall
7 Views Last Month
351 Since Aug 17, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
88%
13%
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0%

Photos

Panoramic View on the Upper Falls Trail.
Apr 30, 2019 near Salem, NC
Overlook!!l
Oct 29, 2019 near Salem, NC
Some mountains over there
Aug 7, 2018 near Salem, NC
Sun Rays Jacob Fork South Mountains SP
Nov 19, 2019 near Salem, NC
Jacob Fork South Mountains SP
Nov 19, 2019 near Salem, NC
south mountains sp
Nov 19, 2019 near Salem, NC
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 2, 2021
Jennifer Marquardt
Beautiful day for a hike!! 6mi — 2h 41m
Feb 15, 2020
Jennifer Marquardt
4.4mi
Apr 27, 2019
Jackson Price
Jul 22, 2018
Todd Rohlan
Small walk from parking lot to HQ trail. Then its all uphill. Strenuous. Great exercise 2.2mi — 1h 20m
Jun 13, 2018
B Huhn
Jul 27, 2017
Aaron Adams
2.2mi
May 2, 2017
Stephen Roberts
HQ Trail does not start from the parking lot as per the map, that is the first leg of Falls Loop trail. HQ Trail starts .5 miles east of parking lot 1.9mi — 1h 45m
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