

Redington Pass Backcountry Touring Staging Area.Oracle State Park Group Use Area Parking.


Continue past the Bear Trap trail on the orange blazed Massanutten Trail for another 0.1 miles a small rock cairn marks the non-blazed overlook trail. You can also see the Bill Kruszka Overlook ridge from here just 0.1 miles to the northwest. Mile 2.5 - At the intersection of the pink blazed Bear Trap Trail there is an slightly obscured view to the west of Edinburg and Woodstock. Continue over the north flank of Waonaze Peak were the Massanutten Trail descends towards the western ridge. The true summit of Waonaze Peak is tree covered without views. Mile 2.0 - You have views here to the southwest of Kennedy Peak and Fort Valley.

This trail marker shows the same distances as the marker at Edinburg Gap mile 0.1 on this hike, so per the markers at this rate you'll never get closer to either the Bear Trap Trail or Woodstock Tower road :) From this point the trail becomes somewhat steeper and makes several switchbacks as it climbs the mountain. Continue along the trail and pass another trail marker. Mile 1.1 - In 1.0 miles arrive at a mountain spring. The Mountain Laurel is at its peak bloom the end of May and beginning of July. The Massanutten Trail will gently climb towards Waonaze Peak for the first 1.0 mile passing through several stands of Mountain Laurel. Mile 0.1 - Cross Edinburg Gap Rd/675 then turn onto the orange blazed Massanutten Trail where it enters the forest on the left. Mile 0.0 - From the parking area on FS 374 walk back to Edinburg Gap Rd/VA 675. This area of the Massanutten also has a high concentration of Timber Rattlesnakes, so in the warmer months keep an eye on the trail as these forest residents are well camouflaged and can be hard to spot.Ī great way to spend the day is to hike up to the overlook, then afterwards head into Woodstock to the family friendly Woodstock Brewery that servers great beer, homemade root bear, and very good food. You are unlikely to run into other people on this hike, however the ATV trails in the forest are close so don't be surprised if you hear them. This hike has several views of Fort Valley through the trees as it climbs the mountain, as well as passing a spring at 1.1 miles. The Massanutten Trail crosses Edinburg Gap just south of Waonaze Peak on the western ridge of the Massanutten Range. The overlook is a rocky outcrop with sweeping views of Short Mountain and Edinburg in the Shenandoah Valley. The Bill Kruszka Overlook is named for the longtime Forestry Service employee who was instrumental, along with Don Sawyer, in developing many of the trails in the Lee Ranger District. One of the least visited overlooks in the Massanutten Range and northwestern Virginia. Park at Edinburg Gap/FS 374 just past the gate on the right.
