Rocky Fork to Birchfield Camp Lake – Mtn Bike

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Overall
Recommendation:
Advanced hikers or mountain bikers with very good fitness level.

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Outstanding
Features:
Small waterfall. High elevation lake.

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Difficulty:
Difficult. 2000+ feet of elevation gain.

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Driving:
Take the Flag Pond exit off of I-26 (exit #50).  At the stop sign turn left onto Higgins Creek Road. Drive ½ mile until you reach Rt. 23.  Turn right and travel 2¼ mi. thru Flag Pond, then turn left on Rocky Fork Road. After ¾ mi. you will see a gravel pull-off to the left. Park here (out of the way of the gate) and follow the gravel lane into the Rocky Fork Tract.

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Trails:
Refer to the map, as ALL road intersections are shown!  Also download GPS track below.  From the parking area , go though the gate and head out on the graveled road.  The Rocky Fork stream will be on your left.  You will come to the first junction in the road at approximately .75 mile, where you need to bear right.  Continue uphill for another ~.75 mile to the second intersection. Take a right here.  At this point the road becomes much steeper.  Continue climbing for another couple of miles until you reach Higgins Ridge at 4300′.  You will then descend slightly for 0.5 mile or so to the 3rd intersection. Take a right here and travel about a mile to the 4th intersection.  Take a right at this 4th intersection, and in only 50 feet or so the road will split again.  Both of these roads head down to either side of the lake… circling the lake.  So you can take either (or come out at either).        

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Needed
Gear & Tips:
I took a mountain bike, but hiking it would be fine.  Take some extra water.  Don’t forget your map. 

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Distance:
Approximately 11.0 miles round-trip.

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Time
Allotment:
Biking: 4-5 hours  Hiking:  5-7 hours

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Type:
Out & Back.

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Vista
Rating (1-5):

2.0 – Occasional views through the trees. Nice view of Frozen Knob at the lake.

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Waterfall
Rating (based on a 1-50 scale):

Rocky Fork Trio: H(1) + F(6) + V(1) + W(2) + G(3+3+6) = 22–

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Water
Crossings (one way):
None, but some big mud puddles.
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Scrambling/Climbing:
None.

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Hazards:
Take precautions to avoid hypothermia especially in cool conditions.  Weather can change dramatically at high elevations.

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Maps/GPS
info:

(right click on link, and chose “Save Target As” or Save As”. Download to your hard-drive and then upload to your GPS unit)

My .gpx file to get from Rocky Fork to Birchfield Camp Lake
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More
Information: