Laurel Run and Gusty Point Hike
The Laurel Run/Stack Rocks circuit has some of the best views in the area. The panoramic views along orange blazed North Mountain Trail and from Gusty Point are spectacular on a clear day. If the first gate is closed just before Laurel Run you will have to park just before crossing Laurel Run. The hike will be 8.8 miles long from this point. If the gate is open you can avoid the extra out and back on FDR252 by parking 1.1 miles further at the yellow blazed Laurel Run Trail entrance reducing the hike to 6.6 miles.The hike to Gusty Point can also be done as as an easy 1.5 mile out and back hike from the parking area on FR 691, 0.1 miles from the North Mountain trailhead. 38.927119, -78.737627
If you park a the first gate start the hike by walking 1.1 miles up FDR252 before arriving at the start of the loop where the closed gate and yellow blazed Laurel Run Trail turns to your right.
Start up the yellow blazed trail and in one hundred yards arrive at a split in the trail. Bear left continuing up yellow blazed Laurel Run Trail for 2.1 miles. The trail will pass through two wildlife clearings before winding back and forth becoming steeper as it gets close to the mountain ridge. Just before reaching the junction of the North Mountain Trail, Laurel Run Trail will pass a small pond on your left.
Arrive at the junction of the North Mountain Trail and a forestry service road. Orange blazed North Mountain Trail will turn left. Take the orange blazed trail for 0.7 miles and look for a white blazed side trail that will take you to the Gusty Point Overlook.
Continue for another 1.6 miles as the orange blazed trail crosses over two more knolls on the mountain before arriving at the junction of the purple blazed Stack Rocks Trail.
Turn left downhill on the purple blazed Stack Rocks Trail as it winds steeply downhill for 1.3 miles before arriving at the junction of the blue blazed FDR252 road.
Turn left on blue blazed FDR252 for 0.9 miles as it winds back around the valley to the starting point of the loop and yellow blazed Laurel Run Trail on your left.
If you had to park at the lower parking area continue down FDR252 for the remaining 1.1 miles back to the lower parking area.
