The Standing Stone Trail

I thru-hiked the SST a few years ago and it was very much worth it. Rugged, rocky, and challenging trail in places. I think it is one of the best trails in the mid atlantic. There are numerous views, some quite impressive. There are also sinkholes, talus slopes, and the popular 1000 Steps with the dinky house and non-stop views. The trail has some historical features. In spring, there are wildflowers and some beautiful dogwood and redbud blooms. Rocky Ridge section is a first class trail and impressive scenery.

From Mapleton to Three Springs there is a beautiful stream valley south of Mapleton, a big steep climb up to Windy Vista, and then the trail is easier following old forest roads, pipelines, and SGL roads to the steep climb up to Throne Room vista, a breathtaking place. There are more views to the south to Butler Knob, another great view. New trail leads down to the new shelter. The SST follows as PGC road for a little, enters the woods for a couple miles with new trail above Hoopers Gap and then follows a gated dirt road down to Three Springs. Three Springs is a nice little town with restaurants and resupply. The roadwalk is 5-6 miles long, but is rural, pastoral, and the roads aren't busy.

Ridge walk to Monument Rock is fairly easy and rock free. Monument Rock is a beautiful section with a nice grotto below the view, possible camping here. Cross private property on nice trail with streams and stiles over fences. Cross Vanderbuilt Folly another historical feature on more scenic trail as it climbs up the ridge. The final ridge to Cowans Gap is very rugged and rocky, but has cool rock outcrops and some views.

The Greenwood Spur section is beautiful and an excellent addition to this already fine trail. Detweiler and Alan Seeger offer old growth, rhodo tunnels, and scenery very different from the dry ridges elsewhere on the trail.

Overall, the SST is one of the best kept secrets among backpacking trails.

Here is my trip report with pics, beginning with the first day, you can click "next" to see the others:

endlessmountains.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/standing-stone-trail-day-1/

This is good information. For future reference maybe we should see if Admin thinks it would be a good idea to split these last few posts about SST to it's own topic.

Looks good to me. Thanks!

Not really, except that by going sobo you'll hit Three Springs later in the trip, when you'll have more need to re supply.

Sobo is going down the Steps vs. up them, which could be a consideration for those with older knees.

Heading out Sunday to hike Monday through Thursday. Any good places to eat near Cowan's Gap?