Flat Laurel Creek Trail/Old Railroad Grade(edit)

trail_hike_comments: Follows an old railroad grade up from NC 215 to the end of FS 816, the Black Balsam parking area. It's a gentle climb on a wide trail; it's very rocky all the way. It's also a unique trail since it's entire length is above 5000 ft. elevation. Starts with a crossing of Bubbling Springs Branch. You should be able to rock-hop this if the water is low; if it is extremely high it might not be a safe crossing. The trail then goes generally northeast into mixed high-elevation hardwoods. The forest transitions to mostly spruce/fir by the trail's upper end. The trail passes over an old concrete bridge with Wildcat Falls streaming underneath it, then travels along the mountainside. There are some excellent views in more open areas. Prolific rhododendron, mountain laurel and blueberry shrubs line the trail. The trail slips into the Flat Laurel Creek valley and turns southeast; its eponymous stream has some nice cascades on the left side of the trail as the creek spills out of valley. Above the cascades, the trail follows the creek for a ways before pulling away to the right. Flat Laurel Creek valley is indeed relatively flat. The trail passes nice campsites and through grassy, high-elevation meadows. Low forests and open meadows grow to the left with a dense spruce reforestation area to the right; several Fraser fir also line the trail. Although much maintenance has been done recently improving the surface, several stream crossings and wet areas round off the hike as it swings back to the north to meet the upper the parking area., trail_bike_comments: This entire trail is above 5000 feet. Very scenic - awesome high elevation meadows near the Black Balsam parking area. There are many wet, seepy sections and creek crossings, and the trail is very rocky although a lot of work has been done to the trail recently reducing its technical nature but making it more sustainable. You'll find waterfalls, pristine streams, and a recovering spruce-fir forest along this trail. This trail is part of the Flat Laurel Creek Best Ride.