The Tuscarora Trail & Great Eastern Trail Spectacular Hiking in Morgan & Berkeley Counties, WV he West Virginia section of the Tuscorora GENERAL INFORMATION: Tuscarora Trail TTrail (TT) is part of a 250-mile four-state, The path of the Tuscorora Trail is carefully he Tuscorora Trail (TT) in West Virginia Morgan & Berkeley Counties side branch of the Appalachian Trail extending marked with blue painted rectangles (blazes) Tis a 33-mile footpath running north south from near Harrisburg, PA to Luray, VA. It was usually located at eye level on trees. A double roughly along the border between Morgan and West Virginia originally constructed as an alternate route for blaze means an abrupt change of direction; stop, Berkeley Counties. The Trail offers an excit- the Appalachian Trail but look for next blaze before continuing. Be aware ing opportunity to experience hiking on one of is now maintained for its that the Trail is an evolving creation and that the great, long distance, footpaths traversing the own special qualities. The the pathway may be relocated to accommodate eastern United States. It is a national class recre- ational treasure, which provides access to some southern section of the TT It is now possible changes in land ownership, make sections more of the most remote parts of the area. Weaving starting in Morgan County, user friendly, or incorporate additional scenic to follow the new through the historical Spruce Pine Hollow area, WV was initially called and historic features. All relocations are care- the Meadow Branch valley and the wilderness fully marked. the Big Blue Trail, but in Great Eastern of the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area Although the TT is an improved and well- 1995 the entire trail was (SCWMA) the Trail offers glimpses of histori- renamed Tuscorora. Trail from maintained hiking trail, most sections are well cal sites, spectacular overlooks, isolated wood- Thousands of hours Morgan/Berkeley beyond the Sunday stroll category. You should lands, rock formations, a pristine lake, rushing of volunteer time by be prepared for walking on very rough terrain, streams and endless opportunities to see the best members of the Potomac County and walk with VERY steep climbs, small stream crossings of the areas flora and wildlife. Appalachian Trail Club (dangerous at high water), bog areas and the (PATC) were used to north to Maine or usual natural hazards common to wilderness construct the trail and south to Alabama. areas. There is neither safe drinking water nor continue to be used to rest room facilities, except at Sleepy Creek Lake. maintain and improve the Be aware that most of the TT is surrounded current trail. The Trail by prime public hunting land. Late November runs through public property such as Sleepy to mid December is deer season. Small game is Creek WMA, private property secured with hunted from October to February and turkey easements or in some cases just “handshake” in April and May. Hunting is not permitted on agreements and small parcels of property Sundays. Avoid the trail or wear blaze orange owned by the PATC. during hunting season. In general, camping is only allowed at designated campsites along THE GREAT EASTERN TRAIL the trail. Check with the manager of Sleepy Recently, a section of the Tuscorora Trail Creek WMA for rules about open fires and including the Berkeley and Morgan County, other special regulations. Free running dogs are WV miles has been incorporated into the discouraged. At the north end, the trail crosses Contact Travel Berkeley Springs at Great Eastern Trail. The Great Eastern Trail several areas of private property. You are a guest 1-800-447-8797 for special brochures on the is a new north-south footpath entirely separate of the land owner in these areas, so please be Cacapon River and Ecotourism in Morgan County. For motorcycle ride maps and all information to from the Appalachian Trail. It is now possible respectful. plan your visit - www.berkeleysprings.com to start on the Tuscorora Trail in Morgan/ on the Berkeley County and walk north all the way to Prepared by: Travel Berkeley Springs Washington Travel Berkeley Springs Maine or south to Alabama following the new Heritage Trail 127 Fairfax St • Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 800-447-8797 Great Eastern Trail. 800-447-8797 www.berkeleysprings.com Funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration. 3/08 www.berkeleysprings.com OMA tance on the south side of the creek is laurel blooms in June. Watch out in wet POT C RIV Directions To Access Points ER MARYLAND 1 a PATC backpackers campsite. Also in weather for bog areas near lake. River R & Brief Trail Descriptions: LP oad this area are the Rumsey mill and mill- 6 Driving directions: see 4. race remains. The trail climbs steadily From the Beacon Trail access the WEST VIRGINIA rom the north, the Tuscorora Trail enters through one of Morgan County’s most TT leads south to the western edge of [ Morgan County across the US 522 beautiful spruce forests and continues Sleepy Creek Mountain and follows the F Potomac River Bridge from Hancock, MD P 2 F uphill along some dirt roads and past Berkeley/Morgan line toward Shockey’s and follows River Rd east, then heads south into a few houses. A VERY STEEP climb Knob. A second PATC shelter is near the forest. P 3 up the northern end of Sleepy Creek the knob and spectacular views of 1 Driving directions from Berkeley Springs: US WV 9 Mountain follows. From here the trail southern Morgan County can be seen 522 522 north to last right turn before the Hancock enters Sleepy Creek WMA and follows from the rock edge all along this sec- WHT bridge (River Rd), 2.7 miles to Culp Rd, then con- the crest of Sleepy Creek Mountain tion, especially when leaves are down. tinue .3 miles on River Rd to small sign on right along the Berkeley/Morgan county line From the Shockey’s Knob area the trail WV 9 marking Trail entrance. There is a small parking until it descends the eastern slope to the steeply descends the western slope and area just past here on left. Don’t block road! WV 9 BERKELEY next access point at Sleepy Creek Lake. arrives at the final area access point on SPRINGS The trail heads overland from here and reaches The trail crosses the Meadow Branch in this area. Shockeyville Rd in Frederick County, VA. (Total the first PATC overnight shelter in 1.5 miles F Caution! (Total trail distance 10 miles) distance 6 miles) W in (shelters are free for anyone to use) The trail con- che 4 It is possible to access the trail at Whites 7 Driving directions from Shanghai Rd and s t 4 e White’s Gap tinues overland across private property (please be r G Gap near the midpoint of this long stretch. This CR 13: continue on CR 13 .1 miles and turn left r a respectful) and along some private roads until the d e involves a rough, steep climb up the west face onto Pine Grove Rd. Follow Pine Grove 3.7 miles R o next access point at the intersection of Jim West, a d of Sleepy Creek Mountain from an access point (turns to gravel), turn left on VA 671 (Shockeysville C Burnt Mill and Potomac roads. (Total trail dis- R along Duckwall Rd. Rd) follow total of 2.5 miles to small TT sign on 1 3 tance from River Rd 3.5 miles) 5 Driving directions to Sleepy Creek Lake and left. TT continues south from here following 2 Driving Directions from Berkeley Springs: WV Shanghai Rd Trail accesses from Berkeley Springs: Shockeysville Rd. 9 east 7.9 miles to Meridian Rd on left. Go .3 miles US 522 south 2 miles, turn left onto Winchester 5 P and turn left on Burnt Mill Rd then 1.8 miles to Sleepy Creek Mountain ird Hill Mountain Grade Rd (CR 13), follow CR 13 12 miles to Jim West/Potomac roads intersection and TT trail Additional Information: Sleepy Creek Lake Creek Sleepy Shanghai Rd, turn left and continue 2.8 miles to 1. Potomac Appalachian Trail Club: offers head. top of mountain and red gate on right, continue on Continuing south, the trail follows Burnt Mill excellent maps and a descriptive trail guide Shanghai Rd .7 miles to small sign on right “Beacon (WV section = “South Half ”): 118 Park Street 522 and Meridian roads back to WV 9 and crosses Sleepy CreekWildlife ManagementArea Trail”. This is the TT south and directly across is into Spruce Pine Hollow Park (SPHP). S.E., Vienna, VA (703) 242-0693, www.patc.net TT north Shanghai Rd (Locks of the Mountain) 2. Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management 3 Driving Directions from Berkeley Springs: WV access. Continue on Shanghai Rd 1 mile and turn Area: www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/WMAAreas. 9 east 8.2 miles to Park on right. Shanghai left toward Sleepy Creek Lake. Follow “Lake” signs US Route 522 From the SPHP park- shtm. (304) 754-3885 5.1 miles to lake and junction of ing area follow the white 3. Berkeley Springs-Morgan County 6 LP road with TT. Left to follow trail blazed trail from the south Chamber of Commerce: offers an excellent south, right toward dam and TT side of the Park a short road map of Morgan County: 127 Fairfax St, north. Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, 304-258-3738, Ridg e distance to the TT along Road From the southern (upper www.berkeleysprings.com WHT the Meadow Branch creek. campground) at the lake the 4.