The Tuscarora Trail is a long-distance hiking
trail that is under development. It splits off from the Appalachian
Trail in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, passes through West
Virginia and Maryland, then rejoins the Appalachian Trail near
Marysville, Pennsylvania. It is 252 miles (406 km) long, and
includes both the 110-mile (180 km) trail section formerly known as
the Tuscarora Trail in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and the 142-mile
(229 km) trail section formerly known as the Big Blue Trail in
Virginia and West Virginia.
The Tuscarora Trail (including the Big Blue
section) was built as a speculative alternative route for the
Appalachian Trail. It was built further west, in a more wild
corridor, because it was feared that development would force
closure of the AT, before the Federal effort to conserve that
trail.
In West Virginia, the trail is not entirely
open or fully developed—a situation that hikers should be
aware of. Just south of the Potomac River (off River Road), the
Tuscarora Trail is posted "no trespassing." Local residents report
that in some areas where the trail is on private property, property
owners may consider hikers trespassers. A useful brochure and map
of the Tuscarora Trail in West Virginia are available from Travel
Berkeley Springs, and on their Web site.
Further south, where the trail crosses state
Route 9, the trail in West Va. is more accessible. From Spruce Pine
Hollow Park on Route 9, a short trail leads to the Tuscarora Trail.
At that point the trail consists of painted blue blazes on trees
rather than a fully built and cleared trail. South of Route 9, the
trail passes through Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area, and
should not have issues with landowners.
Much of the trail in Pennsylvania was closed in
the 1980s because a gypsy moth onslaught had killed much of the
surrounding oak forest. The trail became overgrown with brambles,
briars and other vegetation to become impassable. The trail has
since been re-opened and is now maintained by the Potomac
Appalachian Trail Club.
The Tuscarora Trail is today an official
side-trail of the Appalachian Trail and is blazed in
blue.
This trail eventually will become a component of
the Great Eastern Trail which will extend from Alabama to the
Finger Lakes in New York state.
Now for the cache search
….
You will be able to locate this cache just off of River road at the
trail head coordinates listed below.
Please Note that the trail committe has changed the Entrance to the
trail to directly across from the parking coordinates
A parking coordinate has also been included to allow you parking
off of the shoulder and away from the road.
CAUTION: Must be used if caching or entering the trail from the
parking coordinate with children.
You will be walking River Road for 150’ along the
shoulder
The regular cache you seek is not far from the Trail head
access.
Some light bush wacking and climbing will be required but nothing
extreme.
Cache contains Log book, stash note, swag and a writing
utensil.
Plenty of room for Travel bugs and Geocoins inside.
A proud Member of
Congratulations on the FTF to
johnnycakes