Description: Strenuous 11.6 mile circuit hike with 1400 foot elevation gain. Walk with one foot in VA and the other in WV. Features streams and views. There is a shelter at the end of the ridge walk should you want to make this an over-nighter. Note, however that the closest water source is at the bottom of a long, very steep descent and that source is not reliable. Bring extra water to last the night.

Look for blue blazes on the left side of Waites Run Road after crossing a one-lane bridge. Park at closest pull-over to the bridge.

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Printable/Downloadable Map

Trail Notes: From Waite's Run proceed down stream on the Blue-blazed Tuscarora Trail. At this point it is an old forest road. The road will climb slightly as the stream curves away.

Turn right onto a rocky footpath, climbing steeply along the side of the ridge along a series of switchbacks. The grade becomes straighter and lesser as it now slowly clims to the top of the ridge. Continue on until you reach the Gerhard shelter at about 4.5 miles.

Turn right and descend quickly down an un-named white connector trail to FDR 371. Turn left and follow the forest road until you come to a gate and then yellow blazes to your right.

Follow the yellow blazes. Cross Patty Run and turn right (upstream). You are now on Vance's Cove Trail. Follow this to the intersection of orange-blazed Racer Camp Hollow Trail on your left and yellow-blazed Wilson Cove Trail on your right. They actually are the same forest road. Turn right onto Wilson Cove Trail and follow it back to your car.

Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes

Review this outing!

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Name:Aj Hike: Big Blue-Vance's Cove
Date: 11/11/05-11/12/05 Ranking: 3.0

Critique: Nice Hike. A lot of hunters out this weekend but was still pretty quiet. Did the hike in reverse direction...don't recommend that. The unnamed white connector trail is very steep going up. The yellow blazes on the Wilson Cove trail are very faded and far between as are the big blue trail markers on the WV side. Stayed at the Gerhard shelter which was nice. Didn't see too many other sites along the ridge. Some great views since most of the leaves were gone.

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Name:Michelle Hike: Big Blue-Cove Run Loop
Date:1/28/2006 Ranking: 4

Critique: The hike was good. We over shot the one-lane bridge (there are several) coming in (not quite 6.5 miles)! Look for the blue trail marks on the left after the bridge, and that should help. We hiked the trail in January, and all the leaves were on the path, which made things slippery with the ascent, and the rocks didn't help. The views were great, especially with the absence of leaves. The backend of the trail was quite serene in the valley, with plenty of streambeds to course your way through to keep it lively. Have fun!

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