Buffalo Creek Park Trail
At A Glance
3.5 mi one-way
Difficulty Rating: 3.5
Steepness: Climbs Moderately
Tread Condition: Some Obstacles
Description
This trail, which doesn't really have a name per se (other than "the loop trail" or "trail: phase 1") is a newly-constructed, machine-built path. It's rather wide, but it was built to accommodate multiple uses (bikes and hikers). It winds through lots of unnecessary switchbacks - great for riding, but a bit redundant for hiking, since it doesn't seem to really get anywhere fast. And the giant water turnouts make for a lot of up and down which - again - is tailored more to bicycle use.
Still, it's not a bad hike. The forest is mixed, with a patch of hemlocks still surviving near the bottom. There's no water to speak of other than at the very bottom as well. At the high point, a neat rock outcrop is worth exploring (but beware of the poison ivy covering the rock below the trail). There are limited wintertime views, including nearby Bald Mountain Lake.
This trail is located in the Buffalo Creek Park area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Buffalo Creek Park trails list page.
GPS Map
Map Information
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Data Formats
KML (Google Earth)
KML is the main file type used by Google Earth. If you have Google Earth installed, clicking the KML link should open the trail or point directly in Google Earth for viewing. This is the native file format used by Google Earth, but many other map applications can use and understand KML as well, so if you're not sure which one to download, KML is a good bet.
GPX
The GPX format stands for GPS Exchange - a free, open, XML format for exchanging GPS and map data. GPX is compatible with Google Earth, many other mapping programs, and most GPS devices (such as Garmin). Load the file directly into your GPS to help find your way on your next trip!
GeoJSON
GeoJSON is a newer, lightweight data exchange format which can be used to quickly share map data and may have a smaller size than KML or GPX. Many professional mapping and GIS applications support the GeoJSON format.
About the Map
Copyright
Base Layers
Base layers provided by OpenStreetMap, the US Geological Survey, the US Forest Service, and NC OneMap. Base layer images are subject to the respective copyright policies of their owners. Base layers may not be available at all times due to system maintenance or outages.
WNCOutdoors Base Layer
The WNCOutdoors Base layer is provided by WNCOutdoors.info. It is licensed by Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.
Trail and Marker Overlays
Trail layers and downloadable data are all original works created by WNCOutdoors with guidance from a variety of sources, including ensembles of our own GPS tracks, user contributed GPS tracks, official maps and GIS data from government agencies, and field observations. WNCOutdoors data is made freely available under the Open Database License - you are free to copy and use it for any purpose under the terms of that license (summary).
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Trail Segments
Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows:
Buffalo Creek Park - Main Trail to Parking
- Allowed Uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking
- Length: 0.16 mi
Buffalo Creek Park - Main Trail to Rumbling Bald
- Allowed Uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking
- Length: 300 ft
Buffalo Creek Park - Main Trail to Split
- Allowed Uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking
- Length: 0.22 mi
Buffalo Creek Park - Split N to Rocks
- Allowed Uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking
- Length: 1.63 mi
Buffalo Creek Park - Split S to Rocks
- Allowed Uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking
- Length: 1.54 mi
Total Calculated Length: 3.61 mi
This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.
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