Big South Fork

Honey Creek Area

Trails

Honey Creek Loop Trail

Honey Creek has some of the most difficult hiking in the area. Honey Creek Loop is 5.5 miles. Areas of the loop have boulders to climb, narrow tunnels to go through and ladders covered in wire mesh to descend. I don't recommend packing this trail. It does make an excellent day hike. There are lots of shear bluffs, rock houses and waterfalls to see. This is some of the most beautiful terrain in the Big South Fork area.

0.0 Honey Creek Loop begins at the Honey Creek parking area. Cross the gravel road and climb the steps that lead up to the right.

0.4 A sign indicates the trail leads straight ahead, crossing an old logging road.

0.6 The trail leads downward next to a small creek.

0.8 Cross the wooden bridge and climb a set of steps that lead away from the creek.

1.0 The trail passes through two small rockhouses and begins to leads down hill again. The trail passes through a cut in a large fallen tree. Many trees that have been blown down litter this section.

1.1 A spur trail to the right leads down to Moonshine Falls. Continue to the left past a small overhang and cross the creek.

1.15 The trail descends to the right to the base of Moonshine Falls.

1.2 Ford the creek again and continue across to a wooden footbridge.

1.3 The trail forks. Continue uphill to the left. You will begin to see the large boulders that characterize the Honey Creek area.

1.4 The trail comes to the bottom of a large bluff. Climb the trial to the signs that indicate the junction with the Honey Creek Overlook Inner Loop Trail. The signs have been broken, but may be repaired by this writing. To reach the Honey Creek Overlook, continue left and climb the wooden ladders. Climb the steep wooden steps to the top of the bluff. Turn right. The trail crosses the creek that forms "Hide-Out-Falls" and continues to the Honey Creek Overlook. To continue the Honey Creek Loop, proceed to the right of the Inner Loop Trail junction.

1.5 The trail continues uphill close to the huge bluff line and then begins to a large area of boulders. Red trail blazes mark the way through the boulders and lead you through a large rockhouse.

1.6 Hide-Out-Falls

1.65 The trail forks. The trail to the left, leads upwards to the Honey Creek Overlook via wooden ladders. The main loop continues down towards the river.

1.83 The trail flattens out and begins to follow the hillside. Several spur trails lead to campsites alone the Honey Creek drainage that flows to the Big South Fork.

1.98 Honey Creek. Continue up Honey Creek.

2.07 Follow the trail blaze between two large boulders. A waterfall can be seen during wet weather.

2.11 Two boulders that have settled on each other form a narrow passage. No place to have a backpack!

2.14 Continue up a small ladder, turning left up the hill between a boulder and a fallen tree.

2.22 The trail returns to Honey Creek. Continue up the creek a short distance then following the trail blaze up to the right.

2.39 More boulders to climb through.

2.49 The short cut around Indian Rockhouse continues straight. Go right on the main trial to Indian Rockhouse.

2.52 Sign indicates to follow the creek. Continue up the creek.

2.61 Indian Rockhouse. A wooden ladder is provided to explore the shelter. Notice the small tunnel in the upper left section of the rockhouse.

2.67 Main Trail sign. Continue up hill passing more rockhouses.

2.75 The trail leads by a low overhang. Continue left.

2.98 Another large rockhouse called "The Great Room". A large pine tree hangs straight down from above.

3.07 Short cut around Indian Rockhouse merges with main trail. Continue straight.

3.09 A sign indicates to continue downhill.

3.34 The trail descends to Honey Creek. Cross the creek and climb through the large boulders. The trial climbs steeply up the hill side. Continue to the right.

3.57 A sign indicates a 100 foot trail going straight ahead. Continue down the hill side.

3.68 The base of Ice Castle Falls is to your left. Cross the creek and continue up the steep hill side.

3.79 The trail follows the bluff line to the left over the top of Ice Castle Falls.

3.9 Tree Top Rock. Follow the arrows that lead across the rock surface to the main trail.

4.0 The trail divides. Go left.

4.19 Cross a small footbridge.

4.28 A sign indicates a spur trail to the left leads to Honey Creek Falls.

4.29 Trial continues to the left.

4.42 Cross a drainage.

4.56 Trail crosses an old logging road.

5.06 Trail begins to leave the creek.

5.12 Cross and old logging road.

5.5 Trail returns to Honey Creek Trail parking area.