Washington, DC: Halfmoon Mountain Loop
Climb 1,500 feet on this moderate 9.4-mile circuit.
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Looping 10 miles over empty ridges makes it hard to believe you’re just two hours from the Beltway. From Trout Run Road, ascend the Bucktail Trail 1,500 feet through rocky ravines to 2,826-foot Halfmoon Mountain at mile 4.3. Camp just below the summit in a grove of pines, where you can linger over evening-glow vistas of Great North Mountain and a sea of 4,000-foot peaks. On day two, return via the Halfmoon and Bucktail connector trails (3.6 miles).
Trail Facts
- Distance: 15.1
Waypoints
BAX001
Location: 46.15864, -68.812126
Grand Lake Rd
BAX002
Location: 46.144875, -68.814626
BAX003
Location: 46.140311, -68.827822
Five Ponds Trail junction
BAX004
Location: 46.140835, -68.856396
Turn left onto Middle Fowler Trail.
BAX005
Location: 46.125816, -68.849214
Middle Fowler Pond and Campground
BAX006
Location: 46.111802, -68.855739
BAX007
Location: 46.115088, -68.856438
Barl Sumit
BAX008
Location: 46.108172, -68.900435
South Branch Pond Campground
BAX009
Location: 46.090139, -68.913739
South Branch Mountain
BAX010
Location: 46.082506, -68.915676
Black Cat Mountain; South Summit
BAX011
Location: 46.08545, -68.895819
Upper South Branch Lean-to
BAX012
Location: 46.091921, -68.889197
Turn right up the ridge.
BAX013
Location: 46.074228, -68.868098
Peak of the Ridges
BAX014
Location: 46.073216, -68.862273
End of Little Knife Edge
BAX015
Location: 46.072877, -68.844817
The Traveler
BAX016
Location: 46.100235, -68.854977
North Traveler Mountain
BAX017
Location: 46.103203, -68.880157
Descend North Ridge.
