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Falls Ridge - North Mountain Loop |
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Description: This is a strenuous
11.7 mile circuit hike
with a 1600 foot elevation gain over the first 2.5 miles. The
hike along the ridge offers at least two vistas on a clear
day. The first provides a vantage point for both east and
west views while the second provides a good view of
Massanutten Mt. On a good day you can even make out Signal
Knob. The descent along a pipeline swath is both steep and
exposed to the sun. Parts of the ridge walk is equally
exposed to the sun. Dress accordingly and bring lots of
water and sun screen for this one.
In season one might expect to find Fly Poison (a Lily), Dwarf Iris, Mountain Laurel, Pink Lady Slippers and Gray Beardtongue growing along the trails and roads. This is a companion hike to the Laurel Run - Stack Rocks and Laurel Run - Falls Ridge circuits. |
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Continue on SR 701 (Dellinger Gap Rd), beyond the "End County Maintenance" sign, until it ends at the trailhead gate. Park on the left.
The North Mountain Trail is part of the Great Eastern Trail (GET). ________________________________________ |
Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files |
Trail Notes: As you approach the private drive bear right onto the yellow blazed Falls Ridge Tr and immediately cross Falls Run. This is usually a rock hop at the worst. Proceed up a very eroded wagon road. In 0.19 miles come to a junction of grassy woods roads. There will be an old green bus in the woods to the left. Purple blazed Fat Mt Tr is straight ahead (Your return route). Yellow blazed Falls Ridge Tr is to the right. Turn right. Keep an eye out for a faint yellow blaze on a tree next to a dirt and rock bearm blocking a trail to the left. Turn here and cross the bearm. The trail meanders through an overgrown grassy field for a while before slipping back into some secondary woods that parallels a wide open field to its right. In another 0.55 miles cross the blue blazed Laurel Run Connector and begin a steep climb. At about 1.37 miles from the last junction you'll come to a white triangle blaze on a tree to the left marking a faint trail. This begins a bushwhack to a waterfall. I've yet to explore it since both times I've hiked the trail there has been little, if any, water coming off of the mountain. Continue up the Falls Ridge Tr for another 0.63 miles. Arrive at the junction of orange blazed North Mountain Tr. Turn left here. In about 0.93 miles watch for a rock outcrop that juts up to the sky to your right. This is a good vista that provides both easterly and westerly views. Continue on another 1.58 miles to the next vista. This one has room to lounge in the shade and provides a view of Massanutten Mt and points east. The next 1.74 miles is pretty flat and goes by rather quickly. At this point reach gravel SR 720. Bear left onto the road and switchback down to where it crosses a pipeline swath. Turn left onto the the pipeline swath (colored red on the map) and descend steeply for 0.71 miles. Keep an eye out for a rock pile and a blue blaze on a tree to the left. Turn left here and cross a stream. This is the Laurel Run Connector. |
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Cross two more streams. Keep a sharp eye out for a very faded purple blaze on the right. This is the beginning of the Fat Mountain Tr. Turn right here. In about 0.70 miles the trail will almost reconnect with the Laurel Run Connector on the left. Turn right at a purple blazed post and continue to follow the Fat Mt Tr for another 0.74 miles. Arrive back at the old green bus junction. Turn right onto the yellow blazed Falls Ridge Tr and retrace your original steps back to your car. Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes ________________________________________
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Name: Kris
Hike: Falls Ridge- North Mountain loop ________________________________________ |
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