White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run
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Description: This is a pretty strenuous 7.5 mile circuit but will be worth every ounce of effort. It is probably the second most popular hike in the entire SNP with Old Rag holding the # 1 spot. While some prefer to hike it in the spring when the falls are at their most powerful I prefer to do it in the fall when the colors are most intense. Still others prefer to hike this loop in the winter when the falls are in suspended animation. The hike starts at the signed parking lot on Rt600.
Google Maps might try to tell you to use old park roads or trails that are not accessible by vehicle. Confirm your route with a real map. The directions in the printable/downloadable Trail Notes are accurate if you are coming from U.S. 211 (Sperryville) |
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Trail
Notes: From the kiosk,
follow blue-blazed White Oak Canyon Trail. Cross Cedar Run on a
bridge. Pass blue-blazed Cedar Run Trail on the left and then Cedar
Run-White Oak Canyon Link Trail also on the
left.
Proceed to slowly
switchback up the canyon taking in the views of the magnificent
falls. You probably wouldn't want to do this portion quickly anyhow.
At 2.7 miles from the start, come to a concrete post with no
markings. This trail leads to the base of #1 Falls, a spot missed by
many but worth the extra time to explore.
Return to the main
trail and switchback up to the top of #1 Falls for a different
perspective. At about 3 miles cross a small bridge and turn left
onto yellow-blazed Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail. You will still
be gaining elevation along this old forest road but at a much more
gradual rate.
In about 1.5 miles the
fire road will swing right. Stay on the horse trail almost to the
Cedar Run parking lot on Skyline Dr. Turn sharply left on the
blue-blazed Cedar Run Trail.
Over the next 2.4
miles you will pass several rapids, water falls and, about halfway
down, Halfmile Cliffs. You will cross Cedar run twice. The second
time is at the bottom. Watch the blazes as an old woods road
continues straight while you have to turn left for that final
crossing.
Pass the link trail
and White Oak Canyon
Trail on your left as you return to the parking
lot. |
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________________________________________ Name: .Com Hike: White Oak Canyon-Cedar Run Date: 01/226/14 Rating: 5
Critique: Ol' rusty bucket & i had a free day together & chose white oak canyon loop for our hike. weather was magnificent, although that brought out the crowds. we started at the base of the canyon, hiking up white oak trail & taking in the great views of the many waterfalls. we decided to extend out hike a bit, so we hiked up to skyline drive, and walked about 1/4 mile south to the next overlook where we could access the AT. we took the AT SOBO for about 1/2 mile or maybe a bit longer, to the next parking lot on skyline drive. we crossed the road and started down cedar run trail. less crowded than white oak trail, a bit steeper as we descended. all in all, we think our hike was about an 11 mile loop. it was helpful to follow the map from www.midatlantichikes.com, as well as a good map of the shenandoah park.
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Name: Andrea L Hike: White Oak Canyon-Cedar Run Date: 4/29/2012 Rating: 5 Critique: This was a very fun and scenic hike. It took my husband and I about 5 1/2 hours to complete this hike. We took breaks about every hour. The views along this trail are a must see, especially the waterfalls. I was amazed at how clean and clear the water was along this hike. This strenuous hike has a very steep uphill climb on White Oak Canyon and a very steep downhill hike on cedar run. My husband and I hiked this together and enjoyed walking the yellow blazed horse trail/fire road, but only because it gave us a break from the steep elevations of the uphill white oak canyon. This trail was wet in a few spots so you had to use some caution so as not to slip in the mud or on the rocks. The trail paths are marked by concrete posts. With the blue trails you will find along the path that every so many trees there will be a splash of blue paint and for the yellow trails, yellow paint. We found the paint markings on the trees more useful than the concrete posts. The trail notes offered on this website are very helpful. I had them printed out and in my pocket while doing this hike. However, when the notes indicated you cross Cedar Run twice I assumed there would be a bridge. No bridge. You had to carefully walk or crawl over rocks and logs. A bit intimidating for me since I have not done many hikes but it did add to the fun and excitement of the hike. ________________________________________ Name: Bill (aka
Juanvaldz)
Hike: White Oak Canyon/ Cedar Run We took a lunch break near upper falls where the bridge crosses the stream (Robinson River) Caution, there are two trails at this point, The White Oak Canyon trail, and the White Oak Fire Road. The published White Oak Canyon-Cedar Run hike requires you to take the left at this intersection onto the fire road. (Don't ask us how we know this, we wont tell) The fire road is wide and much better suited for a winter hike than the rocky trail. You continue to gain elevation until you come within view on Skyline drive, where you turn south onto the Cedar Run trail. At the 5 hour mark we start the downhill leg of the hike. At times the trail is VERY narrow and in the winter conditions, trekking poles are a must. A number of times, the poles were the only thing that stopped a slide in to the icy waters of Cedar Run. Its surprising how few pictures you take when you are worried about taking an unwanted winter swim. To say it was adventure coming down is an understatement. There are two stream crossings, and you study every step you are going to take, because mistakes here are unforgiving. We averaged 1.1 mph for the entire hike with rest breaks and lunch. Could we have done it faster, sure, but safety was more of a concern, rather than speed. I cant wait to take this hike again in the spring. Would I do it again in the winter??? I think so, but my brain may have frozen a little too! ________________________________________
Name: Dominic Frasca
Hike: White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run ________________________________________ Name: Carol Branscome Hike: White Oak/Cedar RunDate: 7/20/07 Rating: 4.5 Critique: Have done several permutations of this loop in the past but this time we did Cedar Run up, crossed the Skyline Drive and then took the trail to Hawksbill summit and lunch. Lots of vertical (about 3300 feet) for those so inclined. Returned the same way we went up. Cedar Run is in good shape with only 2 trees to climb over. On the way up despite the camp group of kids at the sliding waterfall, the trail was extremely quiet. On the way back down, even quieter and there was only a raccoon washing his paws at the sliding waterfall. Cedar Run has fewer people than White Oak so is more enjoyable despite it being much steeper. ________________________________________
Name: Koyote
Hike:
White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run
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Name: Galen Hike: White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run
Date: 4/14/07
Rating: 3.5 ________________________________________
Name: Jean-Louis Hike: White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run
Hikedate:
7/4/05 Ranking: 5 ________________________________________
Name: Jason Hike:
White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run ________________________________________
Name: Greg Hike:
White Oak/Cedar Run ________________________________________ |