04/05/08 Photos

Description: 9.9 mile, moderate circuit hike to an outstanding view of Trout Run Valley, Mill Mountain w/Big Schloss, Tibbet Knob, the Great North Mountain and Long Mountain. One very steep but short climb (See elevation profile.).

Directions to Bucktail Trailhead fromI-81:

Take US 55 West.
Travel approximately20 miles. Turn left at the junction with Rt 259, remaining on US 55.
Turn left onto Trout Run Road. In5.8 miles, just past Trout Pond Rd, on your right, come to a forest service road on the left with 521 painted on the back of its stop sign. There will be yellow blazes on trees going along the right side of Trout Run Road and Orange blazes on trees going up the forest service road. Turn left onto the forest road and drive up to the forest gate on the right. Park on the shoulder but do not block the gate.

Google Custom Directions

Look for a forest service road on the east side of Trout Run Road with 521 painted on the back of its stop sign. There will be yellow blazes on trees going along the west side of Trout Run Road and Orange blazes on trees going up the forest service road. Turn left onto the forest road and drive up to the forest gate on the right. Park on the shoulder but do not block the gate. ________________________________________

Printable/Downloadable Map

View 3-D Maps!

Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files

GPS Text File for Non-TOPO! Users

Trail Notes: From the intersection walk up the service road following the orange blazes through the gate on the right to the official trailhead of the Bucktail Trail. As you climb, the trail/forest road will bear to the left and soon pass pink-blazed Bucktail Connector Trail (your return route) on the right. As you reach the crest of the hill, Rocky Ridge to your left and the hills surrounding Waite's Run at your front will come into view.

Descend quickly to a bridge crossing Halfmoon Run. (This marks the terminus of purple-blazed Capon Furnace Trail.) DO NOT CROSS THE BRIDGE!!! Turn right, remaining on Bucktail trail, crossing the stream several times before leaving it and reaching its terminus (forest gate).

Turn right on to another forest road, passing through another gate and on to pink-blazed German-Wilson Trail. In a short distance the forest road splits. Bear left and almost immediately turn left off of the road onto a steep and rocky foot path. This is the steepest part of the hike and is littered with blow-downs. Fortunately it is short- lived. This marks the last of the major elevation gains. Reach the intersection with white-blazed Halfmoon Lookout spur trail.

Turn right on to Halfmoon Lookout trail. There will be a pink-blazed trail to your left. Pass it and soon climb steeply to the ruins of and old forest tower for a grand view. Mill Mountain with Big Schloss is to the left. Long Mountain is to the right. Tibbet Knob with Devil's Hole Mountain and the continuation of the Great North Mountain beyond it are straight ahead.

Return along the Halfmoon Lookout spur trail, passing the German-Wilson Trail on your left. Turn right onto yellow-blazed Halfmoon Trail and descend to a stream crossing. DO NOT CROSS!!!

Turn right and follow pink-blazed Bucktail Connector trail for about2 miles as it weaves in and out, up and over the coves at the end of Halfmoon Mountain.

Turn left at the intersection of the orange-blazed Bucktail Trail and return back to your car.

Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes

Critique this outing!

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Name: Cham Green Hike: Bucktail Trail - Halfmoon Lookout Loop
Date: 7/22/06-7/23/06 Rating: 5

Critique: I did not perform the entire circumnavigation of the Trout Run Valley, but crafted a 10 mile loop consisting of Bucktail Trail, German Wilson, Halfmoon and Bucktail Cutoff. I was really impressed with the German Wilson segment which rises 1200 feet in 1 mile and is very rocky. Halfmoon Lookout peak is probably the best campsite in the GWNF, although I hate to let the secret out of the bag. This site can only accommodate really small tents. The good news is that there is no easy route on to Halfmoon so I don't expect a crowd. For better detail and pics, please go to the July 24th, 2006 entry of my blog http://www.chamspage.blogspot.com.

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Name: Tony Hike: Bucktail Trail-Halfmoon Lookout

Date: 4/6/2005 Ranking: 4

comment: Got to give this hike a high 4 rating just for the diversity. Start out passing open fields and views to the north before descending into the first of two valleys and a wonderful hike along Halfmoon Run. After climbing the only really strenuous section of the route, the German Wilson Trail, reach the top of Halfmoon Mountain and enjoy the best vista of the entire Trout Run Valley with views of Big Schloss, Tibbet Knob and Great North Mountain. On the way back down, the abundance of Laurel on Halfmoon Trail should be spectacular in June. Have to thank MRHyker here for recommending this one!

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