Black Oak Ridge Spur Northwest

This short spur connecting High Mountain Loop to Black Oak Ridge is under a mile, but it has several technical challenges and scenic views. The west end of the trail starts alongside Moccasin Creek, offering a gorgeous view of the strikingly clear blue water, and a creek crossing that's deeper than expected. From there, the trail becomes steep and rugged, with loose rock and deeply rutted sections. Deep troughs are filled in with large, flat slabs of stone. A long, sustained climb leads into a series of rock obstacles, including a foot-tall ledge and a tricky line of boulders with big gaps that will require precise navigation, followed by additional roots and rocky stretches to navigate.