Stairstep Falls–Emily Falls, 7 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 879 ft · 2 hr 12 min
Stairstep Falls–Emily Falls, 7 sights is a 5.3-mile out-and-back in Green River Game Land near Mount Valley, NC. The route passes Emily Falls and Stairstep Falls. It climbs 879 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade. It scores 73/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Stairstep Falls–Emily Falls, 7 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 879 ft · 2 hr 12 min
Elevation 1,729–2,225 ft
Out & Back · Green River Game Land
Trailhead: 35.28956, -82.32606
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 95°F / low 73° · precip 13% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Bishop Branch Trail, heading E.
- 0.4 miPass Emily Falls.
- 0.7 miSharp left onto Bear Branch Trail, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Long Ridge Road, heading E.
- 0.4 miReach Stairstep Falls, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Stair Step Falls Trail, heading NE.
- 1.3 miPass Stairstep Falls.
- 50 ftBear left onto Turkey Gut Trail, heading NE.
- 0.7 miBear left onto Long Ridge Road, heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto Connector Trail, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bishop Branch Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading NW.
- 0.1 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 1.5 mi in (~45 min). Leave by 6:49 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from this trailhead
- Laurel Mountain 2.8 mi · ▲ 643 ft
- Loobie Falls–Stairstep Falls, 5 falls 4.7 mi · ▲ 719 ft
- Sunshine Falls–Pulliam Creek Falls, 5 falls 5.5 mi · ▲ 1,321 ft
- Loobie Falls–Stairstep Falls, 7 sights 5.7 mi · ▲ 1,334 ft
- Laurel Mountain & Pulliam Creek Trail 5.8 mi · ▲ 1,260 ft
- Emily Falls–Bear Branch Trail, 5 sights 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,192 ft
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