LOCATION: Jones Spring, WV
TRAIL DISTANCE: 6.6 Miles
TRAIL HEAD/ DIRECTIONS: HISTORIC PACKHORSE
TRAIL TYPE: Loop
TRAIL GRADE:  Moderate (2)
TRAIL PARKING: 20 spots or more
KEY WORDS:  Summit views , Big Forest
TRAIL INFO
What’s to like about the trail: Big trees, limited elevation gain, multiple overlooks.
Why go for a hike on this trail:  This is a big forest feel trail, with multiple water crossings, overlooks and seclusion. this is a rare gem.
Best time to go for a hike on this trail:  Spring and fall (avoid rainy)​

Summary:   
Your adventure begins at the end of the historic Packhorse trail road, with a designated parking area for the trailhead. The trail is found just behind the large red gate where it initiates on a fire road. The fire road is well maintained and easy to navigate with no elevation gain for the first 1.2 miles.  At the intersection of the fire road and High Rock trail, veer left to remain on High Rock. The trail will meander down to a small creek crossing and proceed via a more narrow trail through hardy forest. This portion of the trail is the most difficult of any point on your adventure, the trail will climb for over 700 feet via difficult terrain for 1.1 miles until the intersection with the Tuscarora trail.  

Fun fact: the Tuscarora trail rolls for 252 miles through the four states. For more info on the Tuscarora trail click here

Back to our adventure, there you are at the intersection of the High Rock and Tuscarora and a bit heavy in breath from that climb. Have no fear the fun is here. Continue to the right (this is the Tuscarora) via the blue hash. the trail continues for 0.1 miles until a small knife-edge set of rocks with a small wooden sign acknowledging High Rock overlook on your right. A few things to know, it is truly called a knife edge because it is a very thin sliver of rocks that form your overlook. From this step forward be mindful of your footing , balance and keep an eye on your steps. In fact these rocks get very slippery in any kind of moisture event (rain, fog, dew). The knife edge is a series of rocks to scramble up for a big wild and wonderful view of the Virginia and West Virginia border. Once fulfilled, return carefully back down the way you came to the Tuscarora and turn left returning to the intersection with High Rock. This time continue straight on the Tuscarora trail, this portion will be a wide forest road that will navigate for 2.4 miles until the Mill Race trail. The Tuscarora will blend beautiful forest canopy with flora and fauna, and a few small rock outcrops to stop and enjoy the view. This entire section has little to no elevation gain as it rolls across the ridgeline. I will share that this trail can be overgrown at times and a bit boggy, so mind your footing and use bug spray. At mile marker 2.4, take a left onto Mill Race trail, a yellow marked trail that will descend for 1.6 miles back to your parking lot. This portion of the trail is a mild descent with compacted dirt, stone and root that can also get quite muddy and boggy after rain events. As the trail begins to flatten there is one last water crossing to complete before finishing the trail to your car for 0.4 miles.

HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS

LOCAL

  • HIKES
  • THINGS TO KNOW
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  • no mountain bikes allolwed
  • streams can swell after rain impairing the crossing
  • no entrance fee or use fee.
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