GPS Coordinates: (Latitude, Longitude, Elevation)
Parking: 35.84146 -92.98413
Trail Head on NC5080: 35.84189 -92.98472
Sandstone Castles: 35.81647 -92.97268
Rock Wall #1: 35.82520 -92.98599
Rock Wall #2: 35.82412 -92.98407
Old Homesite #1: 35.82303 -92.98264
Rock Wall #3: 35.82039 -92.97832
Rock Wall #4: 35.81955 -92.97672
Old Homesite #2: 35.819701 -92.97643
Pet-friendly: Yes! Be aware there are a number of trees down on the trail and other obstacles that might challenge a smaller dog on a leash. Also, unlike most of my hikes, there is no water available. Make sure you pack water for your dog as well.
Motorcycle friendly: No. Getting to the parking area takes you about seven miles on rough, gravel, forest service roads. It's doable, but you'll be sorry if you take a cruiser or street bike on these roads.
Hiking Statistics: From top to bottom, The Richland Wilderness Area is over 1200 feet of elevation change. Today we hiked approximately five miles, with a "highest to lowest" elevation change of only 262 feet. There are a few ups and downs, but the hiking is mostly on the level. While technically a bushwhack because no trail maintenance is allowed in wilderness areas, there is a fairly distinct volunteer trail that follows an old trace road. This makes for easier hiking so I would rate this a moderately easy hike. Note that in "leaves on" season, the trail will be mostly overgrown.
Richland Wilderness Area Waypoints
GPS track file, trailhead to Sandstone Castles (.gpx format)
Links to blog posts for other nearby areas:
Devon Falls, Hamilton Falls, Twin Falls, and Richland Falls
The same, plus Long Devil's (Jim Bob), Mystic, and Big Devil's Bluff Falls
Dogwood Falls
Wind River Hollow
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Richland Wilderness |
The Sandstone Castles are actually a series of caves cut into the rock of the
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Old Homesite #2 |
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Jeff, Chuck, and Rick (L-R) |
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Sandstone Castle GPS Track |
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Richland Wilderness Area |
Lucky you, getting to guide Chuck in. I have watched his show for as long as it's been on. It makes me sad that so many people visit these caves and camp in them. They will be ruined as Whitaker Point and the Glory Hole has been by over use. How much did he pay you for the service? :)
ReplyDeletehaha - at least I didn't have to pay him. Yeah, I hate that there are people that have no respect for these places. The ones that are already well known I still blog about. New wild caves or stuff with historical or archealogical significance I no longer give directions to.
DeleteHi Rick! Is it really easy to see where you go down to Twin Falls from Sandstone Castle? My friends and I were thinking about going tomorrow. We didn’t want to risk crossing creeks. I appreciate any info!
ReplyDeleteThere is no trail, but you are following the ridge between Big Devil's Fork and Long Devil's Fork right down to where they meet - at the top of Twin Falls. So no trail, but hard to get lost.
DeleteRick, I went to sandstone castle when I was really young with some family of mine and I was told that there is a much shorter route with access to Sandstone Castle cave from the top although i cannot seem to find any info on that. Do you have any insight if there is access from the top or not? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe route that I describe here IS the route with access from the top. It follows along the top of Big Middle Ridge. This is the shortest route you can take to it. If you went from below when you were younger, rest assured this is much, much, shorter and easier.
Deleteoh ok. awesome! thanks for the insight. Ill pay a little more closely to what im reading next time!
DeleteThanks for the write up on this, Richland is such a great area . when I originally found the cave a lot of years ago there wasn’t a single foot print in it or any sign of people. Now it’s beat out and marred from people camping there . As you and others have said it’s sad people lack the respect to keep our wild places as they found it if not better, part of my usual hike loop was visiting the mill stones which were stolen a few years ago. So sad and another example of lack of respect .
ReplyDeleteAgreed. For me, I'm torn between helping the vast majority of folks, who just want to get out and enjoy nature's wonders, and weigh that against the possibility that I may be helping some of the very small minority of dipweeds that have no respect for these places or for future generations. I still post blogs to most places I go, but I no longer give directions to anyplace with historical or archealogical factors, nor for any wild caves I find now. Unless I know someone personally and know their character, I won't help them find theme types of places.
DeleteI took Dr. Compton to the area many years ago from the cemetery at Iceledo Gap and he found a grist stone but years later I was told it was no longer there. It must have been tough for someone getting it out.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be 2 mill stones in the creek on Big Devil's Fork. A few years ago, they disappeared. It is assumed someone stole them and hauled them out somehow, but I have no idea how. The only thing I can imagine is floating them out over the falls and down Richland Creek to the bridge. Dr. Compton is kind of a legend in the conservation and preservation of these areas, it was quite an honor to have guided him. Thank you for that.
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