A Challenging 250 Mile Route Through
The Heart of the Ridge and Valley Appalachians
Section 7: Tuscarora Summit
Cowans Gap State Park to PA 16, 9.6 miles
PATC Map K, Guide to the North Half of the Tuscarora Trail
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Max Elevation: 2400 ft. Min Elevation: 790 ft.
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Highlights: Big Mountain overlook. Great Eastern Trail joins/leaves the TT from/on Standing Stone Trail in Cowans Gap State Park.
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Access: The trail can be accessed from both the southern and northern termini of section 7:
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Cowans Gap State Park (39.999,-77.921)
PA Route 16: (39.893,-77.967)
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Additional Road Access:
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US Route 30, Tuscarora Summit (39.916, -77.9565)
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Additional trail connections in the Buchanan State Forest and Cowans Gap State Park include: Standing Stone Trail, Geyer Trail, Logslide Trail, Richmond Trail, Fore Trail, Lincoln Trail.
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Advisory: Exercise caution in Buchanan State Forest during hunting season.
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Camping: Big Mountain Shelter (39.952, -77.943), Cowans Gap State Park. Primitive camping is allowed throughout Buchanan State Forest with free permit.
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Section 8 The Lockings
PA 16 to PA 456, 13.9 miles
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PATC Map K, Guide to the North Half of the Tuscarora Trail
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Max Elevation: 2080 ft. Min Elevation: 525 ft.
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Highlights: The Lockings overlook
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Access: The trail can be accessed from both the southern and northern termini of section 8:
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PA Route 16: (39.893,-77.967)
Fort Davis Road (39.748,-78.045)
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Additional trail connections in SGL-124 include: Alice Trail, Reese Hollow Trail, Hells Hill Trail, Yellow Trail
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Advisory: No primitive camping allowed in SGL #124. Exercise caution in SGL #124 during hunting season. Section Update
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Camping: Reese Hollow Shelter (39.852, -77.979), PATC Little Cove Cabin (by reservation only).
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Section 9: Licking Creek
PA 456 to the C&O Canal , 9.0 miles.
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PATC Map K, Guide to the North Half of the Tuscarora Trail
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Max Elevation: 760 ft. Min Elevation: 380 ft.
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Highlights: Mason-Dixon Line
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Access: The trail can be accessed from both the northern and southern termini of section 9:
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Fort Davis Road (39.748,-78.045)
End of Licking Creek Access Road (39.657, -78.055)
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Additional road access:
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Camp Harding Park on Pectonville Road (39.670,-78.041)
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Advisory: Exercise caution in Indian Springs WMA during hunting season. Section Update
Camping: Licking Creek Campground (39.651, -78.048)
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Links: Indian Springs WMA, C&O Canal NHP
Section 10: C&O Canal
C&O Canal to Hancock, MD, 7.9 miles.
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PATC Maps K and L, Guide to the North Half of the Tuscarora Trail
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Max Elevation: 395 ft. Min Elevation: 415 ft
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Highlights: C&O Canal NHP Visitor Center, Little Tonoloway Day Use Area
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Access: The trail can be accessed from both the northern and southern termini of section 10:
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End of Licking Creek Access Road (39.657, -78.055)
Little Tonoloway Day Use Area (39.698,-78.182)
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Additional Road Access:
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Little Pool C&O Canal Parking (39.684,-78.104)
Hancock Visitor Center (39.695,-78.154)
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Advisory: None
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Camping: Licking Creek Campground (39.651, -78.048), Little Pool Campground (39.685, -78.113)
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Links: C&O Canal NHP