Trail Description:
This short easy trail loops along the west side of the campground, suitable for casual strolls and easy mountain biking. There is nearly no elevation change. The tread at the south end is compacted sand and obvious, wide, and well maintained.
Hiking the
Morris Hill Bike-Hike Trail:
After leaving the compacted sand surface, the trail contains straight ahead following a grassy cut through the forest to a brief access drive for a service building. This access drive connects to the Overflow Camping area paved road. Turn left to follow this road to its end at the Visitor Center access road. Turn left to the Visitor Center and a walkway down to an overlook of the dam with seating. The views of fjord-like Lake Moomaw and the massive earth-fill dam are impressive. A good idea of the depth of the lake can be seen from looking down keen on the clear, rock-strewn Jackson River downstream. Deer are a frequent occurrence browsing the grassy areas and the odd bear has been sighted in this area. The trail intersects with the Overflow Camping area paved road which it follows to the end at the Visitor Center access road. Parking is available at both the dump station and the Gathright Dam Visitor Center. The south end of the trail begins on the east side of the Campground Loop road at the dump station. There is no sign. The north end of the trail ends at the intersection of the Overflow Camping access road and the access road to the Visitor Center. There is no sign.
Specific Hiking and Trail Information for the Morris Hill Bike-Hike Trail
Length of Trail: 2 miles or less
Estimated Difficulty (Forest Service Estimate): Easy
Travel Information
Trailhead Directions: Morris Hill Bike-Hike Trail connects the Gathright Dam Visitor Center with the Morris Hill Campground North of Covington. From Route 220 north turn left onto Route 687. Turn left onto Route 641, Indian Draft Road. Then left onto route 666. At the Lake Moomaw Recreation Area entrance, turn right onto Route 605 to the campground. Morris Hill Bike-Hike Trail is accessible from the campground at the dump station.
For more information on this hike
National Forest: George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
Local Office: George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
Address:
810-A Madison Avenue
Covington, VA, 24426
540-962-2214
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