Grassy Creek Trail

Grassy Creek Trail

Grassy Creek Vineyard to Byrd’s Branch Campground

• Trail length:        1 1/2 miles
• Difficulty:            Easy to moderate
• Surface:                  Natural surface

The Westbound trail starts at the Grassy Creek Vineyard tasting room 235 Chatham Cottage Ln, State Road, NC 28676).  Parking is available behind the tasting room. The marked trail enters the woods just east of the tasting room.  There is a moderate and continuous downhill through a hardwood forest for about 1200 feet where the trail makes a sharp right at the creek.  The trail continues upstream for 500 feet through an inviting fern-covered creek bottom to a bridge.  Cross the bridge and turn left.  Here the trail narrows and proceeds on a moderate uphill climb with two switchbacks for 900 feet.  Near the top of the hill the trail bears right heading west.  It meanders some 1800 feet through large hardwood trees, paralleling a tobacco field to Martin Byrd Road.

Turn left, go 200 feet and cross the road at the trail sign.  There you will enter a white pine forest of planted trees.  Follow the flagging as it is easy to get off trail.   After 400 feet exit the pines and continue another 400 feet along the field’s edge to a small pond.  Cross the dam and continue to the right (follow the pink flagging) 600 feet along the field’s edge.  There you will re-enter the “enchanted pine forest”.  Follow the flagging 900 feet. Walk slowly and soak in the inviting but eerie landscape where a thick bed of pine needles soften every step you take.

As you exit the forest, turn left on Martin Byrd Road and walk 100 feet then cross to path going west over the field.  In the distance, 500 feet, you will see Byrd’s Branch Campground store building.  Inviting porch chairs may call your name to sit a while, while enjoying their many flavors of ice cream.

Byrd’s Branch Campground: byrdsbranchcampground.com

The Eastbound trail starts at Byrd’s Branch Campground store (225 Martin Byrd Road, Elkin, NC 28621.)  Parking is available.  The trail goes east across the open field for 500 feet to Martin Byrd Road.  Cross the road and go north, uphill for 100 feet.  There you will enter the “enchanted pine forest”.  Follow the flagging as it is easy to get off trail.  For the next 900 feet, walk slowly, soaking in the inviting but eerie landscape where a thick bed of pine needles soften every step you take.  When you exit the pine forest go right 600 feet follow the flagging along the field down to a small pond.  Cross the dam and turn left.  Follow the edge of the field for 400 feet where you will enter a second group of white pines.  Another 400 feet through the pines brings you to Martin Byrd Road.

Turn left and go 200 feet before crossing the road at the trail signs.  Upon entering the woods, the trail now meanders some 1800 feet through large hardwood trees, paralleling a tobacco field.  Near the end of the field the trail turns left and starts a downward path through two switchbacks for 900 feet to a bridge.  Cross the bridge and turn right.  For the next 500 feet you pass through an inviting fern covered creek bottom on a now wider trail.  Bear left and start a moderate uphill climb through a hardwood forest for 1200 feet.  Upon exiting the woods, the Grassy Creek Vineyard tasting room will be on your left with wine and drinks.

Grassy Creek Vineyard:  grassycreekvineyard.com

OVERALL MAP SECTION: 

Isaac’s Trailhead – Grassy Creek Section – Byrd’s Branch – Carter Fall’s