Big Snowbird Trail

At A Glance

Most Difficult

12.7 mi one-way

Difficulty Rating: 12.7
Steepness: Climbs Moderately
Tread Condition: Moderately Rough
Blaze Color: None
Trail Number: 64

Description

The Big Snowbird Trail is accessed from the Snowbird community area by following Snowbird Road, #1115 off Route 143, then taking Big Snowbird Road #1120 to the end at a trailhead called the "Junction".

From the “Junction” trailhead, the Big Snowbird Trail stays on the south side of the creek for 0.5 miles to a junction with the Snowbird Mountain Trail, then generally follows the creek a further 3.0 miles to a junction with the Sassafras Creek Trail. Continuing further 1.1 miles past Big Falls it reaches a trail junction with Trail 64A, the Middle Falls Trail, a high water alternative that rejoins the Big Snowbird Trail a mile further. The Big Snowbird Trail continues for 1.0 miles, passing Middle Falls to the junction with the Burntrock Ridge Trail and a bit further rejoins the Middle Falls Trail. For the next 5.9 miles, the Big Snowbird Trail follows the stream, with frequent crossings, until reaching a junction with the Mitchell Lick Trail. The Big Snowbird Trail then turns westerly and goes uphill 0.3 miles to a junction with the Snowbird Mountain Trail at Mitchell Lick. The Trail then turns northwesterly for 0.6 miles to the state line, then turns northeasterly and skirting Laurel Top reaching the termination at Big Junction.

Intersecting Trails

  • Snowbird Mountain
  • Mitchell Lick
  • Burntrock Ridge
  • Middle Falls Alternate
  • Middle Falls
  • Sassafras Creek
  • This trail is located in the Snowbird Backcountry Area area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Snowbird Backcountry Area trails list page.

    GPS Map

    Map Information

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    Click on a route, trail, or point on the map and select the GPS Data tab to download its data.

    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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    • Click a trail for more details and to download it individually.

    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:

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Parking to Snowbird Mountain Tr.

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.21 mi

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Snowbird Mountain Tr. to Sassafras Creek Tr.

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 2.55 mi

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Sassafras Creek Tr. to Big Falls

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.89 mi

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Big Falls to Middle Falls Tr.

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.16 mi

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Middle Falls Tr. to Middle Falls

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 1.03 mi

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Middle Falls to Middle Falls Alt Tr.

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 313 ft

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Middle Falls Alt Tr. to Burntrock Ridge Tr.

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 382 ft

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Burntrock Ridge Tr. to Middle Falls Tr.

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.12 mi

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Middle Falls Tr. to Upper Falls

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.87 mi

    Big Snowbird Tr. - Upper Falls to Mitchell Lick Tr.

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 2.51 mi

    Total Calculated Length: 8.47 mi

    This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.

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    Comments

    Bob Melusky said: "download gpx" only has data for a segment of the trail, not the complete trail. In this case, I am reference Big Snowbird, but I had the same issue with Deep Creek. Otherwise, this is an invaluable resource as none of the Snowbird trails show up at all in a number of map formats.

    Saturday, October 30 2021 7:18pm
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