Sparkling Springs Road via Crystal Falls Drive
5.9 mi · ▲ 1,780 ft · 2 hr 51 min
Sparkling Springs Road via Crystal Falls Drive is a 5.9-mile out-and-back in Florence Nature Preserve near Gerton, NC. It climbs 1,780 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade. It scores 67/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Sparkling Springs Road via Crystal Falls Drive
5.9 mi · ▲ 1,780 ft · 2 hr 51 min
Elevation 2,844–4,040 ft
Out & Back · Florence Nature Preserve
Trailhead: 35.49347, -82.33817
Weather Sep 4: Light drizzle, high 85°F / low 66° · precip 18% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear right onto Crystal Falls Drive, heading NE.
- 2.2 miSharp left onto Sparkling Springs Road, heading NE.
- 0.5 miReach Sparkling Springs Road, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miSharp right onto Crystal Falls Drive, heading SE.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 1.8 miBear left, heading S.
- 50 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 7:32 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:11 PM — 9 min before dark. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint
More from this trailhead
- Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail 2.6 mi · ▲ 412 ft
- Crystal Falls Drive 5 mi · ▲ 1,597 ft
- Crystal Falls Drive 5.3 mi · ▲ 1,715 ft
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