Wolffork Valley
Adventure Out
Blackrock Lake Loop Trail and Lookoff Mountain Overlook By Peter McIntosh
n this adventure we’re going to Black Rock Mountain State Park to hike the Black Rock Lake Loop Trail and then up one of two ways to the rocky overlook on Lookoff Mountain. If you’re looking for a nice easy hike, you can’t beat the trail around Black Rock Lake. The entire loop is .85 miles in length and
O
trail is well maintained and has several well placed benches if you’d like to take a break or just pause to enjoy the beauty. Well worth the trip just by itself. And just up the road from Black Rock Lake is the west fork of the James Edmonds Backcountry Trail which leads to the overlook on Lookoff Mountain. This trail is steep, rugged and primitive. It ascends quickly and then levels off for a short bit before ascending steeply again. You’ll cross over a ridge and descend a bit and then follow along eastward on a south facing slope. The trail again ascends and then turns to the south and enters a Rhododendron tunnel. It turns to the east, you’ll see a sign, and ascends steeply once more. Finally the trail joins the other route leading to the overlook. There’ll be a sign here with arrows and mileages. The easier way to the overlook is to park at the intersection of Black Rock Mountain Parkway and Taylor Chapel Road, walk around the gate and follow the old road which climbs very gently and skirts around Skrugg Knob before intersecting the James Edmonds Trial after about 1 mile. If you take this route, keep an eye out for a road ascending on the left, this is private property, keep going straight.
12 GML - October 2020
