Description: This is an 8.7 mile moderate circuit hike with 1300 foot elevation change. Highlights are streams and views. The elevation gain is pretty moderate when the loop is hiked as described. Getting to the White Rocks Vista will take a short rock scramble but the views are well worth it.

As you start up hill you'll come to a pink or orchid farm gate on the right and a pull-in for 4 cars on the left. This is where the hike starts.

________________________________________

Printable/Downloadable Map

View 3-D Map!

Trail Notes: From the parking area walk up the continuation of Waite's Run Rd, past the turn-around, through the forest gate. You are now on yellow-blazed Wilson Cove Trail.

As you top the hill turn right onto pink-blazed Old Mail Trail. Cross Cove Run and slowly climb up through a mix of pine and deciduous trees. This portion of the trail may be wet due to beaver activity.

Come to a wildlife clearing. Continue to an orange-blazed forest road ( Racer Camp Hollow Trail). Turn right onto Racer Camp, passing the continuation of Old Mail Trail on your left (Part of your return route).

Racer Camp Hollow trail descends into the cove, crosses a fork of Waites Run and becomes a footpath. Gradually climb out of the cove, crossing the stream a couple of times.

Pass a hunter's camp on your right and a pond on your left and arrive at the intersection of the blue-blazed Tuscarora Trail (left and right) and purple-blazed Little Sluice Trail (straight ahead).

Turn left on the Tuscarora Trail and climb gradually on a decent grade. You'll notice the ridge narrowing on both sides of the trail just as you drop down into a slight saddle. Look for white-blazed White Rocks Trail on your right and follow it about 0.3 miles to the overlook.

Return to the Tuscarora Trail and turn right. Soon turn left onto the Old Mail Trail. Watch for partial views as you descend.

Cross orange-blazed Racer Camp Hollow Trail, zig-zag to the wildlife clearing you walked through earlier and retrace your route back to the cars.

Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes

Critique this outing!

________________________________________

Name: Rob Hike: White Rocks Circuit

Date: 11/08/13 Rating: 4

Fun hike, I would agree with the moderate description. Few additional notes. Stop and pick up a map at the crossing of the Yellow and Pink Trails (Wilson Cove/Old Mail). I did this hike in the autumn after all the leaves fell, so at times on the Racer Hollow Trail (orange) it was difficult to pick up the trail. Outlook was amazing. Lots of campsites along the way if you want to do an easy backpack trip. As far as the directions, very accurate. Don't make the same mistake I did though: When you leave the White Rocks trail, don't go all the way back down the mountain!

________________________________________

Name: Galen Hike: White Rocks Circuit
Date: 5/29/10 Rating: 3.5

Critique: We did the full circuit on Memorial Day weekend and only saw two other hikers, so I'd imagine this is an uncrowded trail most of the year. That's a plus. This is your standard walk in the woods with not much in the way of views except for the obvious rocky precipice. Regardless, the scenery and elevation changes enough to keep things interesting. You get dense tree canopy, grassy clearings, steep climbs, level trail, and so on. And for the first half, you are always within earshot of a stream. (Look out for mud.) Oh, and the overlook is pretty cool.

Side note: the campsites look spacious and well-located. Side note 2: Thanks to MidAtlanticHikes. There's no way anyone would be able to find this trail otherwise.

________________________________________