Wild Oak Trail

Infobox Hiking trail
Name=Wild Oak Trail
Photo = Wild_Oak_Trail_View.jpg‎
Caption = View from Little Bald Knob on the Wild Oak Trail
Length=25.6 mi;
Location=George Washington National Forest, Virginia, United States
Use=Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding
HighPoint= Little Bald Knob, 4351 ft.
LowPoint= North River Gap, 1600 ft.
Difficulty=Strenuous
Season=Spring, Summer
Sights=Appalachian Mountains
Hazards=Severe Weather
American Black Bear
Lyme disease
Steep Grades
Limited Water
Poison Ivy
Venomous Snakes

The Wild Oak Trail is a 25.6 mile National Recreation Trail located in George Washington National Forest in Central Virginia. It begins at the headwaters of the North River, and traverses up to several ridge tops. Due to the trail's difficulty, length and distance from Washington D.C. [http://www.backpacker.com/article/0,2646,878,00.html"] Backpacker.com (accessed May 11, 2007)] , it sees less traffic than nearby Shenandoah National Park.

History

The Wild Oak Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail by the Secretary of Agriculture in 1979. Much of the land surrounding the trail and the North River was cleared for farming, which continued through the 1930s. It was during this time that portions of the Wild Oak Trail was cleared by the Civilian Conservation Corps to help in providing access for fighting Forest Fires.

Camp Todd, which the trail passes by after a crossing of the North River, was used as a herdsman's cabin and a Fire Guard station.

Animals and Plants

There are a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals in the area. Deer, Rattlesnakes, Rabbits and Bobcats may be spotted by the watchful hiker or biker. There have been more than forty species of trees and thirty wildflowers identified along the Wild Oak Trail. [http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_forest/va/hik_geo2.htm"] GORP (accessed May 11, 2007)] .

Activities

The trail sees a variety of user activity, including hiking and backpacking. To complete the entire loop, various guides suggest devoting a day to each of the trail's three sections. However, the experienced and fit hiker can complete the loop in two full days.

The trail is well marked and easy to follow. Challenges for the hiker include steep ascents and descents in elevation, and few water supply points. There are several backcountry campspots throughout the trail.

Hikers should be aware that the area is popular with hunters in the fall and should exercise necassary caution.

Also, the trail and overlooks tend to be overgrown with vegatation late in summer, so an early Spring or early Fall hike is recommended.

Mountain Biking is also a popular activity on the Wild Oak Trail. Part of the Shenandoah 100 Ultra-Endurance race is on the Wild Oak.

The Virginia Happy Trails Running Club hold a couple "unofficial" trail running events a year on the Wild Oak. [http://www.vhtrc.org/events/twot100.htm"] VHTRC (accessed May 11, 2007)] Participants may run the loop multiple times.

Horseback Riders also utilize the trail, while using Camp Todd to stay overnight.

In addition, the primitive North River Campground [http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/dryriver/recreation/camping/north_river.shtml"] North River Campground (accessed May 11, 2007)] is located two miles from the trail.

Notes

External links

* [http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_forest/va/hik_geo2.htm GORP'S guide to the Wild Oak Trail]
* [http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/dryriver/recreation/hiking/wild_oak_trail.shtml USFS Page on the Wild Oak Trail]
* [http://picasaweb.google.com/jjs6791/WildOakTrailBackpackingTrip Photos of two day backpacking trip on Wild Oak Trail, July 2006]