Washington, DC: Halfmoon Mountain Loop

Climb 1,500 feet on this moderate 9.4-mile circuit.

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Author:	Backpacker Magazine
Date:	6 Jul 2010 7:29:35 PM
Source:	GPX file
Activity:	Hiking ActivitySearchHiking
State:	West Virginia (WV)
Distance:	9.38 mi (Change units)
Survey Elevation:	Total Gain: 2109 ft Total Loss: 2100 ft Net Change: 10 ft
Difficulty:	5 / 10
Tags:	Virginia, West Virginia, Wardensville, Local Hikes 2010
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Looping 10 miles over empty ridges makes it hard to believe you’re just two hours from the Beltway. From Trout Run Road, ascend the Bucktail Trail 1,500 feet through rocky ravines to 2,826-foot Halfmoon Mountain at mile 4.3. Camp just below the summit in a grove of pines, where you can linger over evening-glow vistas of Great North Mountain and a sea of 4,000-foot peaks. On day two, return via the Halfmoon and Bucktail connector trails (3.6 miles).

TO TRAILHEAD: From Wardensville, WV, head southwest on CR 23/10/Trout Run Rd. In 5.9 miles, turn left into the parking area.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Distance: 9.38 mi	Points: 526	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

HFM001

Location: 39.014014, -78.665760
From the parking area, follow the trail as it curves south and crisscrosses the creek.

HFM002

Location: 39.011681, -78.662517
Bear right at the 3-way junction to start an 8.8-mile, counterclockwise loop.

HFM003

Location: 38.995173, -78.638206
Turn left (east); the trail parallels Halfmoon Run.

HFM004

Location: 38.995156, -78.635609
Potential campsite

HFM005

Location: 38.997741, -78.623185
Crest the ridge, then turn left (north) on Halfmoon Lookout Trail. Next, the trail drops to a saddle below the summit.

HFM006

Location: 39.001743, -78.625588
Turn left at this saddle for a 0.7-mile out-and-back to Halfmoon Mountain's 2,826-foot summit.

HFM007

Location: 39.000885, -78.631586
Tag the summit of Halfmoon Mountain at mile 4.3. Next, backtrack to HFM006 and turn left.

HFM008

Location: 39.011297, -78.623213
Cross Halfmoon Run.

HFM009

Location: 39.018733, -78.624204
Pass another potential campsite.

HFM010

Location: 39.027602, -78.633163
Cross Halfmoon Run and continue straight at the junction. In 0.2 mile, the trail reaches its northernmost point before curving southwest for the 2-mile stretch back to HFM002.