200321 - Grapeyard Ridge to Baskins Creek Trails

This is a one way trek covering both Grapeyard Ridge Trail to Baskins Creek Trail. Since it is one way, it requires a shuttle or shuffling of cars. The direction we did it, from Grapeyard Ridge to Baskins Creek, is the harder mostly uphill route. The direction can be reversed for a more downhill trek.

We parked our car in the Rainbow Falls / Bull Head overflow parking lot, just before the one-way entrance to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail road (which is closed in the Winter). We then took a 30-minute shuttle (shout out to A Walk in the Woods - no affiliation to us!) to the Grapeyard Ridge Trail trailhead in Greenbrier Cove. The trailhead is across the street from the Little Pigeon River with a small parking area.

The Grapeyard Ridge Trail starts with a good half mile climb. After a short reprieve, there is another mile long climb. Expect to get your feet wet from the many stream crossings, especially if you're hiking during a rainy time like we did.

After a half mile descent, you'll begin another mile long climb. Another half mile descent, followed by yet another mile climb! The mile after will be a number of smaller ups and downs.

Once the steeper descent begins, it will be a mile down to the Jim Bales and Alex Cole homestead and the Roaring Fork Nature Motor Trail road.

Turning left on the road, a bridge spans the Roaring Fork, and the Baskins Creek trailhead is on the right shortly. There is a half mile climb at the start of Baskins Creek Trail, passing the Bales Cemetery.

Once you start descending again, it is less than a mile to the Baskins Falls side trail. This is a half-mile (each way) side trail to an impressive falls. The trail down to the bottom of the falls, and back out, is steep.

After returning to the intersection from the falls, continue on Baskins Creek Trail, there is a steep mile climb. This area was heavily damaged by the fires, providing for impressive views and scenery.

Once at the top, it is less than a half mile descent back to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Don't stop on the road, though, be sure to do the quick (<0.1 mile) out-and back to Trillium Gap Trail.

We then returned to the parking lot along Roaring Fork Motor Trail, maybe a quarter mile. An alternative would be to have parked in the main Rainbow Falls / Bull Head parking lot, and to return there on Trillium Gap Trail.