Hidden Rocks Hike
Hone Quarry, just west of Harrisonburg Virginia, is one of the least utilized trail systems in the George Washington National Forest. Hidden Rocks is the shortest of the three main hikes in this area, along with Oak Knob and Hone Quarry Ridge. At only 2.5 miles in length the hike passes over Rocky Run with a small pool and waterfall, starts up Back Mountain to Hidden Rocks which is favorite of local climbers, and continues on the small loop trail past Hidden Cracks, and returns down the run.-
Mile 0.0 - The yellow blazed Hidden Rocks Trail starts at the right side of the parking area. The trail will pass through three gullies then descends to Rocky Run where you enter a dense area of rhododendron.
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Mile 0.65 - Cross Rocky Run and reach the intersection of the blue trail on the right, and the yellow blazed Hidden Run Trail stays left. Continue to follow the yellow blazed trail upstream and cross Rocky Run two more times then reach a split in the trail.
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Mile 0.9 - Turn right steeply uphill and in 100 yards arrive at the bottom of the Hidden Rocks wall. Follow the trail to the left as it climbs around the wall. Near the high point look for a set of wooden stairs on the right. Climb the stairs to the top of Hidden Rocks where there is a campsite and views across the valley of Hone Quarry.
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Mile 1.1 - Head back down the steps and stay right continuing on the loop section of the Hidden Rocks Trail. Shortly arrive at Hidden Cracks with another large granite wall. Halfway along the wall look for a gully that you can steeply climb and follow it on the left side. At the top there is a nice view back down the valley. Climb back down to the trail and stay right where the trail descends towards the stream.
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Mile 1.4 - Cross the tributary of Rocky Run and follow the trail downstream.
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Mile 1.6 - Arrive at the waterfall and pool with the trail loop intersection you passed earlier on the opposite site of the run. Continue downstream on the Hidden Rocks Trail retracing your steps the remaining 0.9 miles back to the parking area.
- Mile 2.3 - Arrive back at the parking area on Hone Quarry Road.
