Stone Coal Creek

The scenic Stone Coal Creek area includes an out-of-the-way section of the North Mountain Trail that receives relatively little use. Scattered natural openings along the trail allow glimpses across the Great Valley of Virginia toward Purgatory Mountain and Peaks of Otter to the east, and Spesard Knob and Sinking Creek Mountain to the north. The trail forms a pos­sible loop with the Andy Layne Trail (or Catawba Creek Trail) and the Tinker Mountain section of the Appalachian Trail.

The Stone Coal Creek area is surrounded on three sides by the Broad Run and North Moun­tain roadless areas. The Forest Service charac­terizes 94 percent of the area as retaining natu­ral scenic beauty. It includes approximately 35 acres of possible old growth.

Approximate Size: 2,844 acres
Location: Botetourt County, southeast of New Castle, New Castle Ranger District
Topos: New Castle, Catawba, Daleville