Editing Ewing Trail

{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:SandCave.JPG
|Trail Highlight=Access to the Sand Cave and White Rocks (the colloquially known name)
|Park=Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
|City=Ewing
|Trail Marking=unknown
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Vistas, Caves
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=3.5 hr
|Trail Distance=7.5 mi
|Round Trip Distance=7.5
|Trail Type=Loop
|High Point=3,428 ft
|Low Point=1,675 ft
|Elevation Gain=2,186 ft
|Elevation Loss=2,167 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=Clockwise
|Parking location=36.65121, -83.43549
|Trailhead location=36.65121, -83.43549
}}
{{Trail Map}}

__TOC__

== 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. -->
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.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Gate City, 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.
#Continue on US 58 west where US 421 turns north and through Jonesville, VA.
#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.
#Proceed about a mile to the Thomas Walker Civic Park.
#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==
<!-- 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.

Walk through picnic area past covered pavilion to trail leading into the woods. First second is narrow hiking trail 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 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.

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. ==
<!-- 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 ==
<!-- 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 ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. -->
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.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trailhead
|Marker Location=36.652730,-83.436074
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Merge with horse trail/trail register
|Marker Description=[[Image:White Rocks - Backcountry Trail Register.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.657631,-83.435519
}}
{{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
}}