Washington, DC: Wild Oak Loop
Find your inner hermit on this 26.3-mile loop in George Washington National Forest, complete with endless scenery, heaps of wildlife, and oh-so-quiet campsites.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 42.2
Waypoints
From the hilltops
Location: 38.3950157165527, -79.2580413818359
Check long views from Little Bald Knob. ©Jeff Chow
Local Color
Location: 38.3317565917969, -79.1835250854492
©Jeff Chow
WOL001
Location: 38.3669700622559, -79.1641464233398
Set aside 3 days. Begin W on gray-white blazed Wild Oak Trail, climbing 1,100 feet through oak and hickory stands
WOL002
Location: 38.3668403625488, -79.1840133666992
Grindstone Mtn. (2,702 ft.). Continue along stretches of mountain laurel; stay R @ Skidmore Trail junction
WOL003
Location: 38.3721809387207, -79.1969604492188
Head E past star moss and hickories lining Chestnut Ridge
WOL004
Location: 38.3883094787598, -79.2181625366211
L @ T
WOL005
Location: 38.3952903747559, -79.2578582763672
Set up camp #1 on broad, flat Little Bald Knob (4,240 ft.), where open foliage allows views of Massanutten Mtn.
WOL006
Location: 38.3793411254883, -79.2605209350586
Begin steep descent into Horse Trough Hollow
WOL007
Location: 38.3697395324707, -79.2743377685547
Reach Camp Todd near North River; start rugged 1,700-ft. ascent of Springhouse Ridge
WOL008
Location: 38.3558197021484, -79.2973175048828
Cross plateau and clearing of Big Bald Knob; head SE around contours of Dividing Ridge
WOL009
Location: 38.3437995910644, -79.2915802001953
Head through Mitchell Branch; spend night #2 in flat spots ahead; in 1.4 mi., cross White Oak Run Rd., continue SSE
WOL010
Location: 38.3124618530273, -79.2648162841797
Keep L @ Wild Oak Draft; head E along Hankey Mtn.’s twin summits
WOL011
Location: 38.3233299255371, -79.2010192871094
R @ Y, then in .5-mi. go straight @ 4-way past Bear Draft
WOL012
Location: 38.3412818908691, -79.1759185791016
Promontory @ Lookout Mtn.; begin gentle-then-steep 2.7-mi. descent back to Camp Flather
