Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls Trail. Distance: 2.42 miles. Type of Trail: Out & Back. Difficulty: Moderate . Elevation Gain: 862 feet. The Elowah Falls Trailhead and Parking .

The hike. For the sake of timing, I elected to take the out and back option to the upper falls. You can start this hike at the trailhead about 50 feet east of the Brice Creek Road bridge on NF-22.

MAXIE, Va. — High above an old schoolyard, where trains one rumbled, you might hear the quiet whir of a chain and sprocket.