I am very interested. Our late spring trip never materilized. I am assuming Big Levels is the same as Stoney Run. Shoe Creek is a great trail, as long as it does not rain. There sre 3 or 4 creek crossings. No problem for stockers as long as there are no recent rainstorms.

Stoney Run is better when it rains, there is a little bit of mud. I prefer Stoney Run, because it is a little closer to home 90-minutes to the gravel road (Coal road), I could do either.

Some may want to do both. You could do one Saturday and one on Sunday. Both are approximately 3-hours to run. Both are passable in stock , but some modification makes it easer. Shoe Creek trail head is at Crabtree Meadows (Crabtree Falls). There is a gravel parking lot and latrine. It is a very popular camping spot as well.