The white trail is also easiest to access from the North Trailhead. I'm also covering this trail in two sections, the first section (about 3.5 miles) from North Trailhead to the intersection with the red bike trial on top of the mountain, the second section from that intersection to the Peavine Falls lot. This trail goes right from the trailhead, over a bridge, and proceeds to climb slowly up and down over rolling pine covered foothills until it's junction with the yellow trail in a little ravine. The foothill section is quite pretty, some of the area has been burned in the not too distant past reducing the ground cover and allowing many long leaf pines to make their appearance. It does go up and down, but not too high or steeply. Then you go down into a ravine where there is a little bridge and an intersection with the yellow trail. The ravine is very cozy feeling, and has reliable water, the most reliable I know of in the park. From here the trail makes a steep climb 500 feet up the mountain, over some rocky ground. The steepest climb in the park, but also pretty because of the large rocks. At the top there is a great resting spot called Cove Cliff Top or something like that. It would be a great place to camp too if you hauled enough water up the mountain. From this spot you can see across the valley to the south ridge of Double Oak Mountain. The trail then follows the ridge, which drops very steep on either side and offers some nice views and resting spots. You will pass a marker for the highest point in the park (Shackleford Point), not too special. Shortly after the marker you will reach the orange connector, which goes down to the red bike trail and then up to the blue south rim trail. This section continues for about another mile till it intersects with the red trail. On this last mile you will see some nice sized boulders on the north side of the trail, and then a rocky ridge to the south. Climb up a few feet to the ridge for some more beautiful views and lots of young long leaf pines, reminiscent of Truffula Trees, perhaps if you are quiet you will see the Lorax pulling himself out of a stump. I really like this section of trail and give it another of my four star ratings. It is however moderate to difficult, especially the climb up the mountain, if you were coming the other direction it would be a lot easier.

The last section of trail (about 3 miles) goes down the south side of the north ridge (getting confused?), beside Peavine Branch, and ends at the Peavine Falls lot. It is very pretty when there is water in Peavine Branch, but don't count on this during the summer or dry months. There are some large trees through this section that give you a little glimpse into what these forests must have looked like before the saws and roads came. The trail goes a mile or so before it finally joins the creek for the rest of the trip to the falls. There is a bridge and the intersection with the blue trail at the falls, be sure to go see it if the creek is running. The trail is easy either way since the slope is so gradual. You will find a white/blue connector about a mile and a half down this section, and will reach the parking lot in another mile. There are a few places to explore around Peavine Falls while you are there. This section of trail gets a rating of three stars and is easy.

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Last Updated: April 2003

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