Kepler Overlook Hike

Kepler Overlook Hike

In the late Fall, Winter, and early Spring the lower gate on Van Buren Road will be closed. At these times park on the right next to a large campsite. Note: Backcountry camping in the National Forest is on a first-come first- serve basis. You can't reserve campsites, but there is no cost to camp. If it's open, feel free to camp there!

• Mile 0.0 - From the lower closed gate follow the yellow blazed forestry road for 0.2 miles to the second parking area and seasonal closed gate. That parking area, and second large car-camp site, is on a left turn out.

• Mile 0.2 - Continue straight passing the seasonal closed gate and continuing on the yellow blazed forestry road. In 0.3 miles reach the intersection of the blue blazed Tuscarora Trail.

• Mile 0.5 - Turn left down towards Cedar Creek following the Tuscarora Trail as is passes another closed gate and then reaches the crossing of Cedar Creek.

• Mile 0.7 - Cross Cedar Creek and pass a large camping area. Continue to follow the blue blazed Tuscarora Trail for 0.1 miles where the blue blazed trail turns left off the path it's been follow and starts climbing Tea Mountain. Watch for the double blazed tree that marks this turn off.

• Mile 0.8 - After starting the climb up Tea Mountain the Tuscarora Trail becomes more narrow and moss covered for 0.3 miles recrossing the creek where a former wooden bridge crossed, then widens back into an old forestry road. The trail passes a hollow on the right, then makes a hairpin turn left and leaves the forestry road. There is a sign here indicating a spring. Again make sure to look for a double blazed tree that marks this turn.

• Mile 2.1 - Turn left off the forestry road as the Tuscarora Trail continues to climb Tea Mountain. Pass a spring that was put in by PATC volunteers in 2018 then make several switchbacks before reaching an unmarked side trail at another switchback. Follow the side trail 150 feet around the back of a rock outcrop for a panoramic view west towards Little Sluice Mountain. Return to the Tuscarora Trail to continue the hike.

• Mile 2.7 - Continue up the Tuscarora Trail making one more switchback and reach the saddle between Tea Mountain and Little North Mountain. The trail will then make the short climb to the Little North Mountain ridge. There is a large camping area on the left.

• Mile 3.2 - Follow the Tuscarora Trail along the ridge for 0.1 miles to the panoramic Kepler Overlook, and a great ridgeline camping site.

• Mile 3.3 - From the overlook and campsite retrace your route back to the parking area

• Mile 5.9 - Arrive back at the parking area.