The White Rocks lookout hike is our favorite circuit in the
Great North Mountain area, that offers streams, different fauna,
and
a wonderful
view from White Rocks
eastward. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Shenandoah
National Park.
White Rocks is also accessible from the Little
Sluice Hike.
Start (from the lower parking area) by hiking uphill on the forestry service
road (FS) for 0.3 miles where you will reach a closed gate and
additional parking for five vehicles. Pass the closed gate and continue on the orange blazed FS road for 0.25 miles to the intersection of the pink blazed Old Mail Path
on the right.
In 0.2 miles cross Cove Run and continue following the
pink blazed
Old Mail Path as it turns uphill for another 0.9 miles arriving at a wildlife clearing, and the intersection of
the orange blazed Racer Camp Hollow Trail/FS road.
Turn right on the orange blazed Racer Camp Hollow Trail/FS road, passing two more wildlife clearings before the FS road ends, and the Racer Camp Hollow Trail continues into the forest. After entering the forest, the orange blazed trail will gradually descend for 0.4 miles to Racer Camp Hollow Run, and a large campsite.
From the campsite, the trail will head up the valley crossing the run several times before reaching another campsite in 1.6 miles.
From the campsite continue 200 yards to the intersection of the blue blazed Tuscarora Trail and purple blazed Little Sluice Mountain Trail. Turn left uphill on
the blue blazed trail (the immediate blazes you see are the
green deer study markings). After 1.4 miles
arrive at the white blazed White Rocks Lookout Trail that
enters on the right.
Take the white blazed trail for 0.2 miles
where you will pass a high mountain campsite on the right. 0.1 miles past the campsite the trail will climb a steep rock scree. At the top of the scree stay left and continue around the knob to the white rocks lookout. Note: The white blazes on the top of the scree are faded and hard to see. Return 0.3 miles to the blue blazed Tuscarora
Trail to continue the hike.
Turn right on the blue blazed trail for 0.5 miles
before arriving at the intersection of the
pink blazed
Old
Mail Path.
Turn left on the pink blazed trail for 1.3 miles
as it descends Little Sluice Mountain before arriving back at a clearing and
intersection
of the
orange
blazed Racer Camp Hollow Trail.
Continue downhill through
the clearing, that you ascended earlier, on the pink blazed trail re-crossing the run
and arriving
back at the yellow blazed forestry service road in another
1.0 miles.
Turn left on the FS road back to the parking area.
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Hiker
Reviews For The White Rocks Hike (5 Most Recent)
We turned this day hike into a overnight backpack trip due to time restraints. The hike itself is not bad. Not much to look at until you reach White Rocks. The view however is very rewarding. We camped at the White Rocks lookout site. Very windy! If you want a great spot to watch the sunrise...this is a good one! The remaining portion of the loop is completely downhill and we made it back to the trailhead in about an hour and a half.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, September 17, 2011
We chose this hike for its location, reviews, and the camping. We did this as an overnight backpacking trip. We started out at the main parking area, where the gate was closed. As we put on our packs, it started to rain (so much for a forecast of only 20% chance of rain). Matt's pack was 41 lbs and mine was 38lbs.(we read the reviews and carried 10 liters of water between the two of us) The first part of the hike is very muddy and the creeks were flowing good because of all the rain. The first mile was not horrible, but was strenuous. We took the trails the way HU directed. There were many campsites along the orange trail, one was pretty nice (where the trail turned) that we stopped and had lunch at. The next about 1.5 miles was pretty tough, lots of uphill. We stopped and made camp at the end of the orange trail. The campsite was okay, the table was really nice. The only problem we had was that it was right on the trail. We only saw 2 people, and they were locals on horseback (The horses decided to leave us a nice present at the head of the trail, when the wind blew just right, you could get a good wiff). There is a pond at this campsite, but we are not sure how deep it would be during dry months. The next morning we broke camp and started the next 2 miles uphill to white rocks. If we would have known that the next 2 miles, or so, were not as bad as the first climb up the hill, we would have loved to camp on white rocks. The campsites were nice with a great view!.
The rocks were nice, great views, where we had lunch. Definitely worth the hike! The hike down the mountain was very uneventful and steep, gave the legs a great workout! There are no creeks or water from the third campsite for the rest of the hike, until you hit the last pink trail again. So make sure to bring enough water. We didnt see any wildlife, or really many bugs, or anyone else on the trail.
By:
Hiker
Rating:
Date of Hike: Wednesday, July 27, 2011
My wife and I set out for a 3 day back-country hike on these trails. It was a strenuous hike considering the season, the rocks and the mud, but we got some good exercise. We missed the right turn for the Old Mail trail (it descends into the woods quickly after a sharp bend on the fire road), so we hiked on the fire road for a while, where we encountered a 5' timber rattlesnake, with a small rattle.
We eventually turned around and followed the trails as described on H.U. We camped at the large site at Racer Camp Hollow the first night, and enjoyed the stream. The second day we hiked to the next campsite, saw there was no water to filter, so we hiked on to the next campsite on the white trail, where of course when we got there we saw no water, so we actually had to hike back to our car.
On the way back we encountered our second timber rattlesnake, about 4' and full rattle. It was lying partly on the trail, obscured by the brush. I almost stepped on the snake, and of course it feinted and rattled loudly. It was a slow hike back, since the trail was overgrown and visibility was poor, knowing the presence of rattlesnakes.
The only water we encountered was at that first large site, and we were under the impression that there were more streams on the rest of the hike, so we ran out of water and had to leave. Due strenuous hiking with camping gear and little water available on the trails, and the presence of timber rattlesnakes, we probably won't go back. This hike is probably best left to a day trip.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 14, 2011
It's a good hike, not too strenuous with a solid pay out of a beautiful vista. The trail itself is in okay condition. It's clear and well blazed, but it's very very muddy. At least it was while we were there. There are several stream crossings that need to be negotiated creatively but all in all a solid hike. Would love to do parts of this as a backpacking trip as there are plenty of great campsites to use. We didn't run into anyone when we went other than a hunter leaving when we got there, however it was overcast with a high chance of rain so I wasn't surprised.
By:
Adam l.
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 14, 2011
Hiked in Saturday afternoon (must of just missed you guys, as I saw no one the whole run) to the overlook via the shorter Old MailTrail/Tuscarora Trail route.
OMT/Tuscarora steep and somewhat washed out and rocky. Lots of rain lately so the creeks were really running and the fords were interesting with a full pack. Glad I had my walking stick
Camped at the top, with my head in the clouds (and clouds of little flies - got a small smokey fire going to deal with them) Finally saw some sun on the way back down.
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