Trail Overview

This route is one side of the old Shoe Creek Trail that is now gated in the middle at private property. The surface is gravel from the state road to the parking area for the Upper Crabtree Falls and is fairly easily passable. There are a couple of small creek crossings with loose rock before the parking area. The remainder of the route is unmaintained natural surface and rocky. There are numerous large dispersed camping areas along the route. The AT crosses the route and offers hiking opportunities. The trailhead and parking area located around midway is the top-down hike of Crab Tree Falls. No cell service in the area.

Photos of Crabtree Meadows

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Difficulty

Half rough gravel and half unmaintained rocky

Technical Rating

catcher olive

May 26, 2026

Open

Nice easy road some rocks and a couple of water passage ways till you get in the end towards shoe creek and shoe creek turns hard fairly quick

Paul Klauser

Mar 29, 2026

Open

Leslie Grande

Mar 22, 2026

Open

Super clear, little muddy from falls. Passed maybe 2 vehicles. Not congested at all. Some loose trees that have been moved, make for good obstacles if you’d like.

John M

Mar 15, 2026

Open

Downed tree is now winched out of the way. The trail is open and in good condition.

Robbie Therrien

Feb 26, 2026

Open

About halfway through trail there was a small downed tree. I didn’t have my saw on me so I couldn’t remove it. Most of the trail was clear but there is a decent amount of snow. Gorgeous view!

Darin Jackson

Dec 06, 2025

Open

Very slick with the snow but fun and beautiful

Jose Martinez

Aug 30, 2025

Open

Pretty clear no much to see, the end of the trail is closed to Shoe Creek.

Nathan Williams

Jun 21, 2025

Open

Very easy trail leading to the upper parking area for Crabtree falls. Definitely a 1/10; saw an older Toyota Corolla at the end. Trail is a maintained fire road. This trail leads to the upper portion of Shoe Creek (past the parking area) which is considerably more difficult. Shoe Creek is a solid 3/10

sebastian barberena

Jun 08, 2025

Open

A little tougher than expected but it was fun. Unfortunately the trail it connects to is closed with a gate. The only way out was to turn around and go back the same way.

Chris Blankenship

Apr 13, 2025

Open

Really a 2 rated trail but there are a few places you can take a tougher line to make it more of a 3.

Mason Wickstrom

Feb 15, 2025

Open

Super slushy, I couldn’t make it up at a certain point and had to turn around. Would have been very easy if there wasn’t so much snow

Rob Alexander

Dec 14, 2024

Open

Downed tree shortly after the parking lot, after the two rocky obstacles.

Rylee a

Nov 29, 2024

Open

Hampton C

Nov 09, 2024

Open

Super easy until after the parking area a few miles in, then very legit! Currently you can NOT continue on to the next trail due to closed gate.

Engel C

Oct 11, 2024

Open

Barely any other people pass the little creek crossing and the trailhead parking lot.