C2C Trail - Western Half - Section 1
Big Elk Campground to Bull Run
Section 1: Big Elk Campground to Bull Run Road
This 4.7 mile long section gains about 1300' of elevation and loses less than 100'. It consists of four segments:
(A) Big Elk Campground to Grant Creek Trailhead
(B) the Grant Creek Trail
(C) the Hogback Trail
(D) the Branch Creek Trail
(A) Big Elk Campground to Grant Creek Trailhead [bikes ok]
This 2.1 mile long segment is fairly level and may be traveled by vehicles and bicycles. It heads east on Harlan Road (gravel) for 0.6 miles before turning south on Grant Creek Road (gravel). From that intersection, it is 1.5 miles to the Grant Creek Trail trailhead.
Trailhead and parking (east end): There is no parking within Big Elk Campground unless you are camping there. Ask the camp host about parking options nearby.
Trailhead and parking (west end): Parking is available for 2-3 cars on the west side of Grant Creek Road 1.5 miles south of Harlan Road at the Grant Creek Trailhead.
Bicycling: Bicycles are permitted on this segment but are not permitted on the next segment (the Grant Creek Trail). For this reason, after turning onto Grant Creek Road bicyclists will want to travel for 0.2 mile and then head west on NF-31 (Hilltop Road). Information about the alternate bicycle route is available here.
(B) Grant Creek Trail [bikes prohibited]
This segment is reserved for hikers and climbs 432’ in 0.8 miles from the Grant Creek Trailhead to Hilltop Road (NF-31).
Trailhead and parking (east end): Parking is available on the west side of Grant Creek Road 1.5 miles south of Harlan Road near the Grant Creek Trailhead.
Trailhead and parking (west end): There is no parking immediately available at the west end where the trail crosses NF-31 to meet the Hogback Trail. Parking is available about 0.5 miles to the west on the south side of NF-31 on NF-31-124 at the Branch Creek Trailhead.
Bicycling: Bicycles are prohibited. Bicyclists are to use NF-31 (Hilltop Road) instead.
(C) Hogback Trail [bikes prohibited]
This segment is reserved for hikers. It parallels Hilltop Road for 0.6 undulating miles before crossing the road to join the Branch Creek Trail. It begins on the north side of Hilltop Road directly opposite from the Grant Creek Trail that approaches from the south.
Trailheads and parking (east end): There is no parking immediately available at the east end where the Grant Creek Trail joins the Hogback trail after crossing NF-31. Parking is available at the west end trailhead which is 0.5 miles west on NF-31.
Trailheads and parking (west end): Parking is available on the south side of NF-31 on NF-31-124 at the Branch Creek Trailhead.
Bicycling: Bicycles are prohibited. Bicyclists are to use NF-31 (Hilltop Road) instead.
(D) Branch Creek Trail [bikes prohibited]
The trail begins on the south side of Hilltop Road directly opposite the Hogback Trail. It heads southwest and climbs 669’ in 1.2 miles to Bull Run Road (NF-3119).
Trailhead and parking (east end): Parking is available on the south side of NF-31 on NF-31-124 at the Branch Creek Trailhead where the Hogback Trail meets the Branch Creek Trail.
Trailhead and parking (west end): A small parking area is located at the intersection of the trail with Bull Run Road (NF-3119). This is known as the "Toilet Bowl Landing Trailhead" named for a porcelain toilet bowl found at a landing just below the trailhead. A larger parking area is located on a spur road 300 feet to the north on the west side of Bull Run Road. To access these parking areas from NF-31, travel south on Bull Run Road for about a mile.
Bicycling: Bicycles are prohibited. Bicyclists are to take NF-31 (Hilltop Road) for 1.8 miles to the intersection with NF-3119 (Bull Run Road). See Ride with GPS route. Options are to turn south on Bull Run Road if riding Gopher Ridge Road is desired. See Ride with GPS Route. Otherwise, bicyclists can continue west on NF-31. After 1.3 miles bicyclists can optionally continue west on NF-31 or turn south on NF-3125 (Gopher Creek Road).