​LOCATION: Wardensville , WV
TRAIL DISTANCE: 9.6 Miles
TRAIL HEAD/ DIRECTIONS:  County 5/1, waites run road
TRAIL TYPE: loop
TRAIL GRADE:   strenuous (4)
UPPER TRAIL PARKING: 6 Spaces
LOWER TRAIL PARKING: 8 SPACES 
KEY WORDS: Summit , Camping, Ages 12+
TRAIL INFO
What's to like about the trail:   fun distance hike with creek crossings, easy to navigate trails and a perch view from the white rocks cliff.
Why go for a hike on this trail:​ Explore the great north mountain area with this dandy of a day hike. look to push your pace with a less cumbersome elevation change. the perch view from the white rock cliff is  rolling mountain skylines engulfed in blue skies. seriously , postcard stuff.
Best time to go for a hike on this trail:  Four season trail

SUMMARY
Your adventure Initiates from the Waites run road (County 5/1) and for those with vehicle clearance, you can ramble up 0.3 miles to the upper parking lot. (The lot is tiny, like 6-8 SUVs tiny).
The trail begins at the back left of the upper lot on a fire road and is a mere few hundred yards before veering right onto the Old Mailpath trail. The Old Mailpath is fun with its multiple creek crossings, dense pine and a few hilly portions but none the less a good warm up . Enjoy the Old Mailpath for a mile before meeting up with the racer camp hollow trail. Take a right onto the racer camp and for the next 3.5 miles enjoy the descent through lush forest, dense with large trees and creek crossings. The trail provides great coverage from the sun , rain and winds it also provides multiple primitive campsites along the creek. The trail rolls through small hills with  areas of fallen trees, creeks and small rocks areas to traverse. During wetter periods, expect the trail to have limited drainage. The trail begins a small rocky ascent to the intersection of the Tuscarora trail. Take a left onto the Tuscarora trail/ three ponds trail. This single-track trucks up the side of the mountain as trees begin to space out, The trail turns rockier and your body embraces the exposure to the elements, nearly 1.3 miles in look for a right side trail to the White Rock Cliff . This is marked and from here this 0.7 mile trail darts right to the prize. The perch known as White Rock Cliffs, are several rock outcrops with bountiful valley views. There are quite a few perches to explore along this rocky ridgeline so enjoy a hardy water break or lunch. To return to your adventure, retrace your steps back to the Tuscarora, making a right at the intersection. From here a 0.3 mile quick scramble by a few campsites will bring you back to a junction with the Old Mailpath. Take a left on the Old Mailpath, from here its all downhill ! but be careful for loose rock, loose debris and good ol fashion ankle twisters. The Old Mailpath will cross over the racer camp hollow and continue downward back along the original way you started.  The Old Mailpath returns back through the pines and creek crossings to the fire road, make a left here to return to your car.

HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS

LOCAL

  • ACTIVITIES
  • nearby HIKES
  • TOWN
  • THINGS TO KNOW
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  1. use the upper parking lot , its 0.3 miles from the split however requires ground clearance for your vechile
  2. CAMPING PERMITTED
  3. the tuscarora trail is 252 miles long
  4. located in the george washington national forest
  5. alternate trail access via route 600 tuscarora trail
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