Shockeys Knob via Tuscarora Trail is a 6.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Cross Junction, Virginia that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Most hikers prefer to do this hike clockwise. Follow the yellow blazes Once on the Tuscarora Trail, blazes are blue and then are white on the return down the mountain. This trail has several stream crossings.
January 10, 2021Quiet route. Only saw two other people and only limited gunshots. Definitely a good idea to do it clockwise.
December 13, 2020lovely day for December hike.
December 13, 2020November 27, 2020it was hunting season and nothing was posted to let hikers know...never made it to high rock from the muddy jeep trail. left before we were shot at!
November 24, 2020November 15, 2020Went counter-clockwise and was a nice easy wide path. Good for us and our 3 kids 12, 10 and 9. A few trucks which seemed to have done damage to the path (muddy and flooded ruts) and bow hunters which seemed odd, but quiet and gorgeous otherwise. Did 2.5 out and back. Will go back and do clockwise which I realize now means taking the smaller trail off of the parking lot marked Mill Race.
November 14, 2020November 8, 2020November 7, 2020October 10, 2020nice clearly marked trail with beautiful surrounding area, it does switch trail colors a couple times but if you download the map you shouldn't have any problems. I brought my dog, yes there is a gun range near by but mine didn't seem to care much. I came back with a tick, use bug spray and check yourself, also bring good strong shoes as the trail is a bit Rocky.
October 3, 2020October 3, 2020September 27, 2020A little buggy at the end. Overall beautiful. Nice rock formations. Peaceful hike. Not crowded at all.
September 27, 2020Do not bring your dogs. Going clockwise; you will traverse right next to a live shooting range for almost 2+ miles. It was a very nerve racking hike with gun fire happening and my dogs were scared most of the hike because of it. The rest of the hike was average, nothing special.
September 26, 2020September 26, 2020September 8, 2020Good hike - moderately challenging. Great views if you’re looking for that sort of thing. Trails were maintained well, and it wasn’t too wet. I was able to use my trail runners in lieu of boots, and I got by just fine. We saw two people during the entire hike, making this the perfect pandemic hike if you’re trying to escape the crowds. Also, there was plenty of parking and it is free to enter. Cons: super buggy (lots of black flies) and the trail isn’t the easiest to follow.
September 7, 2020Our fault for not reading other reviews first but we did the trail counter-clockwise and were a little confused by the trail blazes changing color. That being said, this was a pretty nice hike and had good views at the top and one other sport along our way down. We heard some shooting but it wasn’t too bad. Saw a snake skin, a frog and plenty of bugs, but not much else in terms of wildlife.
September 5, 2020August 27, 2020Black bear 1/3rd down high rock trail.
August 26, 2020August 23, 2020August 17, 2020Took my 9 year old daughter on an overnight trip. Really a very enjoyable hike on a well maintained trail. Thanks PATC! To find the parking lot, when you are coming in on Blackhorse Trail, you need to take a long driveway that's just to the right of a three-doored garage. You'll see a red gate, which is the entrance to the white-blaze trail (if you are going counter-clockwise), and just behind you is the yellow-blaze trail (going clockwise). Finding the parking lot was probably the trickiest part, as the trail is very well marked. Some older comments suggest otherwise, but now there's signs at each of the turns that you are otherwise at risk of missing. We went counter-clockwise. The ascent is a bit more gradual that way. You start on an ATV trail and then pivot left to High Rock trail -- a sign will say when. All white blaze, with easy creek crossing and switchback trial on the way up.. At the peak, another sign tells you that you've intersected with the blue blazed Tuscarora trail. Although your loop says to go left, I recommend making a right for just a brief 0.2 mile detour to a lookout point on the top of High Rock. A sign will tell you when to step off the path to climb the rock. Its worth it. After taking in the view, it was back to the loop, continuing on the blue-blaze -- which starts as another jeep trail with knee-high grass, then enters the woods, eventually offering a view of the Cacapons on the right. At the 4.5 mile point is the white blazed loop trail on your right (no sign), leading to the Shockey's Knob shelter. About 0.1 before that is another white-blaze trail to a small spring -- there's a faded sogn on a tree, but facing the other direction. If you're staying at the shelter, fill up now. Its about 0.3 on the white loop to get to the shelter, which is in extremely good condition. Bathroom, a couple fire pits, picnic table, pack rack. Lots of loud crickets at night. Left in the a.m. on the rest of the white-blaze loop to the blue-blaze trail (with a sign at the intersection), and began our descent on the well maintained Tuscarora Trail with lots of stone steps and irrigation ditches. The intersecton to the yellow blaze Mill Race trail is marked with a sign -- can't miss it. The rest of the way is a modest switchback decent, followed easy creek crossing and another modest ascent. My 9 year old daughter had no problems at all, despite a small pack -- just a good workout. 3.5 hours to the shelter, including the High Rock detour and half-hour rest/snack, and then 1.25 hours from shelter to lot. Only saw one other group the whole time. The payoff in views isn't like some trails, but darn close to perfect for a parent-kid overnighter.
June 19, 2020Beautifully marked and maintained would have been perfect were it not for three and a half hours of constant gunfire. Ruined the solace I was seeking.
June 10, 2020i had to turn around before half way point. too much poison ivy! hiker beware.
June 1, 2020What a wonderful hike! My favorite hike in the area now. A little overgrown and wish I took an allergy pill before going out, but a fantastic hike. Ticked all the boxes of challenging but fun, well marked and lightly trafficked. Ran into 3 groups the whole time hiking. Started at 12:30 and back to the parking area at 4 after stopping for a small lunch. Wonderful place!
