Driving to the Virginia Creeper Trail takes about an hour and ten minutes from the BRCC, but the drive is well worth the effort. The trail runs along and across Whitetop Laurel Creek which offers a nice way to ice tired legs after a long run. A run on the trail is an out and back situation. The trail up is gentle but continuous and the trail is normally smooth and well cared for. Running back down to the starting point can normally be done about a minute a mile faster than the trip up. A good way to set up this run is to give everybody the same turnaround time such as 40 minutes. Faster runners will go further than slower runners but if everybody turns around at the same time, all should arrive back at the starting point at about the same time.
That is when the creek is nice and relaxing after you stop shivering. An outdoor privy is available as are picnic tables. Upon requests you can arrange for bag lunches to take with you.
That is when the creek is nice and relaxing after you stop shivering. An outdoor privy is available as are picnic tables. Upon requests you can arrange for bag lunches to take with you.
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The Straight Branch Trailhead is a really good place to start a run on the Creeper Trail. iT is about an hour and ten minutes from the Blowing Rock Conference center. Cell phone service is spotty in the area so save the directions to the Straight Branch Trailhead of the Virginia Creeper for offline usage or download the Word document and print it.
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To get there from the Blowing Rock Conference Center start off by heading toward Boone on US 321.
Turn Left on NC 105 South then go about 2 miles and turn right on to NC 105 Bypass. In about 2 miles the road will come to a dead end. Turn left onto US 321/421 N.
You will travel about 22 miles and then turn right onto TN-91. You are in Tennessee for about 11 miles and then you go into Virginia. The road becomes VA-91. Just before reaching Damascus you will come to a bridge over the Whitetop Laurel Creek and right after that you should turn right onto East 58. Stay on East 58 for 2.7 miles and then turn down the dirt driveway on the right that leads to the parking area.
This shows the right turn just before getting to Damascus.
This is a Google Earth view of the turn where you should park
Bird's Eye View of Parking Area
