Patterson Creek

[xjtrailrider]

This isn't so much a trail as it is a fire road but I went through there today and thought I would share some info on this scenic road.

You can access Patterson Creek from either Caldwell Mountain road at Camp on Craig which is near Camp Easter Seals or from the northern end at Craigs Creek Road near Eagle Rock off of 220.

This is a stock friendly trail that during the dryer parts of the year could be run in the family sedan. It is gravel/dirt for around 16 miles.

There are 5 creek crossings during the first 8 miles of the trail and there are several primitive camp sites on both sides of the road all the way through. You will reach a "T" in the road about 8 miles in, if you go right you will end up at a gate and there is a steep hill climb on the left which is most likely illegal. If you go left you will start the climb over the mountain and you will reach the "ATV" area on the north slope of the mountain. If you continue on you will reach the old rail road bed, go right there to continue on to Eagle Rock.

Some pics.

Water crossings.

[xjtrailrider]

More creek crossings



The old railroad bed that is now a road, it crosses a really old trestle near the end of the gravel road.


Thats all the pics I had, it was a trip down memory lane for me as I use to use this road to ride my mountain bike on and train for up-coming races. Its a really neat and scenic road to take the family on without any damage to your rig and still splash some mud on it!

Enjoy and have fun!

[WilliamAWebb]

We also rode on this one today because we didn't have the time to ride to bobcat. There are a few obstacles at some of the camping grounds (I'm not sure if they are for vehicles or 4-wheelers or what but I went over them) and the creek crossings were fun to splash some water.

[xjtrailrider]

You must have been behind me, I stopped and talked with one guy at the ATV park for a few then went on home.

Wish i had known you all were going through there and we could have ran together.

[WilliamAWebb]

We drove all the way to the split in the road, took the road to the left for about a mile then turned around and went back. It was my girlfriends first time driving the jeep off-road so we just messed around for a little bit on some of the smaller stuff.

[Hokie98zj]

man i cant wait for warmer weather.thats a nice scenic trail.nothing challenging unless its rained for a week before you go.then its just maybe 2 crossings.would of liked to go before they "fixed" everything

[xjtrailrider]

Correction!

The old rail road bed that is now a road is called, "Craig Valley Road" not craigs creek road like I had posted earlier.

I was told today by a RR historian that this branch of track was called "The Craig Valley Branch" and was operated by C&O until it was abandoned in 1960.

[cootees]

I cross that bridge a few times each year. My grandparents have a creek house right there by the ballfield. Never knew about this trail though.

So basically if I were coming from 220 out that way then I would just keep heading straight on the same road with the bridge?

If memory serves me there are a few forest roads out by roaring run as well.

[xjtrailrider]

I cross that bridge a few times each year. My grandparents have a creek house right there by the ballfield. Never knew about this trail though.

So basically if I were coming from 220 out that way then I would just keep heading straight on the same road with the bridge?

If memory serves me there are a few forest roads out by roaring run as well.

Ive got to look at a map but there is one more left you would need to take, I'll check tonight and post the name of that road.

[DAZYDG]

Jon, is there an ATV trail there or is it just a Jeep trail, or both? I dont have the details but I was with the Forest rangers yesterday, and a crew was heading out to close the Patterson Creek trail because it was being abused, dont know what part, or if it was the whole thing, but I will find out. But they had several ATV's and a bunch of cement on the trailer...