One of several hikes in the Elizabeth Furnace area, the Little Crease
Mountain out and back follows the Sherman Gap trail, then heads south
along the Tuscarora/Massanutten trail with 360° views of High Peak and Buzzard Rock to the north.
After passing the high point the Tuscarora/Massanutten Trail descends
along Shenandoah Mountain to the hike turn around with a beautiful overlook of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and campsite.
If you wish to hike this as a backpack there are two good camping sites. The first is at the intersection of the Sherman Gap Trail and Tuscarora/Massanutten trails, and the second is on the Shenandoah Mountain ridge at the turn around point for the hike. This second campsite has excellent views of the Luray Valley and Shenandoah National Park.
- Mile 0.0 – From the parking area before crossing Passage Creek follow the road towards the picnic day use area. Cross Passage Creek and pass the gate. In 60 yards the road will split with the orange and blue blazed Tuscarora/Massanutten Trail going left. Stay right and follow the road into the main parking area. (Park here if the gate at Passage Creek is open).
- Mile 0.16 - At the far left end of of the parking area look for the white blazed connector trail and trailhead kiosk. Follow the trail through the picnic area and shortly arrive at Passage Creek.
- Mile 0.34 - Turn left following Passage Creek on the white blazed trail. There are several good spots to walk down to the creek and take a break. In 0.5 miles the trail will head slightly uphill away from Passage Creek, then in another 0.16 miles the trail ends at the intersection the Sherman Gap Trail.
- Mile 1.0 - Located at the Sherman Gap Trail intersection is a memorial plaque honoring 'R. Wayne Botts, Lifetime Trail Builder'. Turn left on the pink blazed Sherman Gap Trail uphill. The Sherman Gap Trail will pass through seven gullies as it winds around the mountain to the south, and when the trees are bare there are intermittent views of Fort Valley. After 2.1 miles make a switchback to the north. Pass a unique stone formation, then the last 0.5 miles to the ridge is the steepest section in the hike.
- Mile 3.53 - At the ridge the pink blazed Sherman Gap Trail turns right joining the blue and orange blazed Tuscarora/Massanutten. This short section of trail is one of the few trails on the east coast that is blazed with 3 colors. Turn right at the ridge on the Sherman/Tuscarora/Massanutten trail and pass a campsite on the right. Descend to the gap and intersection where the pink blazed Sherman Gap trail turns downhill to the left.
- Mile 3.65 - Stay straight, and proceed upward following the ridge on the blue and orange blazed Tuscarora/Massanutten trail as it climbs Little Crease Mountain. Follow the trail around to the left and pass an interesting rock formation on the right. The trail will then arrive at the ridge between Little Crease and Shenandoah mountains. Along this section of trail are views north of High Peak and Shenandoah Mountain. Continue along the trail for another 0.1 miles to the point the trail begins to descend. There are a 360° views here. Continue downhill on the blue and orange blazed trail, then soon turn south on Shenandoah Mountain arriving at the hike turn around point in another 0.2 miles.
- Mile 4.45 - The turn turn around for the hike is marked by a campsite and beautiful overlook of the South Fork of the Shenandoah river and valley. Follow your route back to the parking area at Elizabeth Furnace.
- Mile 8.9 - Arrive back at the Elizabeth Furnace parking area.
