Stone Cliff Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Unguarded cliff edges are the real hazard here — there are no railings at the overlooks, and the sandstone lips can be undercut and unstable. Stay well back from edges, especially with kids.
Wet conditions turn the exposed rock sections into a skating rink. After rain, the sandstone holds moisture for hours and the leaf-covered roots hide slippery spots.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start from the north end of the trail in the morning — the cliff-top overlooks face east, so you'll get the best light on the gorge walls before noon while the shadows add depth to the rock layers.
Wear shoes with actual tread, not trail runners with worn-out soles. The sandstone sections get slick after rain and the root networks near the cliff edges are ankle-roll territory.
The unmarked spur about a mile in leads to the best overlook on the entire trail — a flat rock shelf where you can sit with your legs dangling over the gorge. Most hikers walk right past it.
