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{{Trail
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
|Banner Image=File:SandCave.JPG
{{Infobox Trail
|Trail Highlight=Access to the Sand Cave and White Rocks (the colloquially known name)
                    | Image Name = SandCave.JPG
|Park=Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
                    | Trail No. = *
|City=Ewing
                    | Hike Time = *
|Trail Marking=unknown
                    | City = Ewing
|Trail Use=Hiking
                    | State = Virginia
|Trail Features=Vistas, Caves
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}{{Camping}}
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Season = Year Round
|Hike Time=3.5 hr
                    | Difficulty Rating = Moderate
|Trail Distance=7.5 mi
                    | Distance = 9
|Round Trip Distance=7.5
                    | Elevation Gain = 1,500
|Trail Type=Loop
                    | High Point = *
|High Point=3,428 ft
                    | Latitude = 36.651207
|Low Point=1,675 ft
                    | Longitude = -83.435493
|Elevation Gain=2,186 ft
                    | Medical = Middlesborough, KY
|Elevation Loss=2,167 ft
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
|Elevation Change Direction=Clockwise
                    | googlemap =  
|Parking location=36.65121, -83.43549
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.651207" lon="-83.435493" type="map" zoom="9" width="270" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
|Trailhead location=36.65121, -83.43549
36.651207,-83.435493,Sand Cave and White Rocks
</googlemap>
 
 
}}
}}
{{Trail Map}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
 
<!-- Start of Main Page -->
__TOC__


== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Loop hike up side of Cumberland Mountain to see enormous wind-carved Sand Cave and then over to White Rocks cliffs for expansive view south into Virginia.
Cumberland Mountain, enormous Sand Cave, 3 acre rock shelter, and White Rocks Cliffs over Ewing, VA


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
Line 33: Line 35:
#Continue on US 23/58/421 to Duffield, VA .
#Continue on US 23/58/421 to Duffield, VA .
#Turn left on US 58/421 in Duffield and continue 11 miles to Stickleyville, VA.
#Turn left on US 58/421 in Duffield and continue 11 miles to Stickleyville, VA.
#Continue on US 58 west where US 421 turns north and through Jonesville, VA.
#Continue on US 58 west where US 421 turns north.
#Proceed on US 58 about 25 miles to Ewing, VA although the highway is on a new bypass north of town.
#Proceed on US 58 about 25 miles to Ewing, VA although the highway is on a new bypass north of town.
#Turn right at traffic lights onto VA724.
#Turn right on VA 724 in Ewing area and proceed about a mile to the parking lot of the Civic Park on swinging down to left.
#Proceed about a mile to the Thomas Walker Civic Park.
#Park here at the Trailhead.
#Park in grass by pit toilets for day hike.  (Park back outside gate if returning after dark.)
#Trailhead is behind the covered pavilion (which has only a handicapped parking space).
Travel time from Colonial Heights, TN was hour and half.


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Route is a loop hike formed by taking 3.6-mile Ewing Trail up to Ridge Trail, west over to spur to Sand Cave, then back east to White Rocks overlook.  Finally, return along Ridge Trail to 0.5-mile shortcut down on White Rocks Trail to finish with Ewing Trail.
Hikers walk up through picnic area to trail leading uphill from the far end into the woods. The road past the Civic Park is the horse trail and the two trails join in a few hundred yards. From Picnic area and shelter, proceed north into woods and trail which later merges with horse trail and ascends mountain with switchbacks. At summit take left fork toward Southwest and proceed to junction with Sand Cave Trail to right descending into Kentucky. Proceed to Sand Cave. Backtrack up from Sand Cave and take trail to left to climb to White Rocks overlook. A bypass trail leads down to the main trail up from Ewing for a short cut return.
 
Walk through picnic area past covered pavilion to trail leading into the woods. First section is narrow hiking path until it reaches the wider horse trail. Continue up and up through series of switchbacks.  Once up on top, the trail will descend some on other side until Ridge Trail is reached.  Take right until you see several horse hitching posts. Across the way is the spur trail to Sand Cave (in Kentucky), which drops down some big steps.  Just before the cave the trail breaks into several options. Far left on the steps may require some creek hopping during wet weather, while the right is a narrow ledge to cross. Enjoy lunch at Sand Cave. Backtrack up to Ridge Trail.  Take left to follow Ridge Trail (passing sign for White Rocks backcountry camping area) until another set of horse hitching posts.  The sign here says only "200 ft" to overlook but it involves a climb up a crevice to reach White Rocks. Return back to trail signs to take left on White Rocks Trail down to Ewing Trail.  Continue back down to vehicles.
 
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Mileage
!Elevation
!Description
|-
|0.0
|1684
|Trailhead
|-
|0.5
|1921
|Intersection with horse trail/trail register
|-
|2.4
|2931
|Lower end of White Rocks Trail
|-
|3.6
|3347
|Intersection with Ridge Trail
|-
|3.7
|3209
|Spur trail for Sand Cave
|-
|3.9
|3078
|Sand Cave
|-
|4.1
|3209
|Back at Ridge Trail
|-
|4.9
|3302
|Ridge Trail at upper end of White Rocks Trail
|-
|5.2
|3291
|White Rock overlook
|-
|5.4
|3302
|Back at upper end of White Rocks Trail
|-
|5.8
|2931
|Back at Ewing Trail
|-
|8.2
|1684
|Back at trailhead
|-
|}


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Being a national park, the trails are fairly well maintained.  Varies from narrow hard packed hiking-only trail to wide roadway/horse trail.  The path is very rocky at times with loose gravel.  Another challenge is diverting water off the trail, thus many water bars.  After a rain, several water crossings will be encountered which might have few well placed stepping stones in place (or not).  Access to White Rocks overlook a steep climb up a crevice.
The trails are fairly well maintained.
 
Although most of the trail route can be used by horses, there were no piles of evidence of recent use; however, hoove prints could be seen in the clay.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
Located in [http://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm Cumberland Gap National Historic Park]. No permits or fees required for day hiking.  Permit needed from main park visitors center if camping in the backcountry.  There is a trail register along the way.  Dogs need to be on a leash.
   


== After the Hike ==
== After the Hike ==
<!-- Where to get a good meal after a long days hike. Because I know everyone will be hungry!! -->
<!-- Where to get a good meal after a long days hike. Because I know everyone will be hungry!! -->
Duffield is closest town on way back with several fast food options. 


== Misc. Information ==
== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. -->
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
Sand Cave has been formed by wind, not water, erosion of the overhanging sandstone. The cave contains football field-size beach of deep sand opening to a lush woodland entrance.  It is a great place to have lunch (pack trash out!) in the coolness. The large cavern also echos, thus larger groups can be noisy. If solo, then just the calm dripping of a small waterfall by the entrance will be heard.
 
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<!-- <googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.514327" lon="-82.478399" type="terrain" zoom="15" width="400" height="350" scale="yes" controls="large">
</googlemap> -->


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<gallery>
{{Map Marker
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Icon Type=Point of interest
Image:SandCave.JPG|View of the Sand Cave
|Marker Title=Trailhead
Image:White_Rock_-_old_fire_tower.jpg|Old fire tower on top of White Rock
|Marker Location=36.652730,-83.436074
Image:White_Rock_-_panoramic_view.jpg|Panoramic view from White Rock
}}
 
{{Map Marker
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Icon Type=Trail sign
</gallery>
|Marker Title=Merge with horse trail/trail register
 
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - Backcountry Trail Register.JPG|150px]]
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]]. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
|Marker Location=36.657631,-83.435519
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Medium]]
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=White Rock Overlook
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - overlook.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.667000,-83.443004
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=White Rocks and Ridge Trails
|Marker Location=36.66593,-83.44638
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Ridge Trail and spur to Sand Cave
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - Sand Cave-White Rocks trail sign.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.6673,-83.459
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Cave
|Marker Title=Sand Cave
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - Sand Cave.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.669449,-83.458092
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Ewing and Ridge Trails
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - Ewing and Ridge Trails sign.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.666024,-83.460933
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=On top of ridgeline which is VA/KY border
|Marker Location=36.664656,-83.453818
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Ewing and White Rocks Trails
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - Ewing and White Rocks Trail sign.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.662967,-83.445687
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Parking Area and bathroom
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - Pit toilets at trailhead parking.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.652,-83.4356
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Bench
|Marker Title=Limestone slab functions as a nice bench
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - Limestone bench.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.66403,-83.44022
}}
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