Ewing Trail
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Trail Overview
Loop hike up side of Cumberland Mountain to see enormous wind-carved Sand Cave and then over to White Rock cliffs for expansive view south into Tennessee.
How to get there
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
Route is a loop hike formed by taking 3.8-mile Ewing Trail up to Ridge Trail, west over to Sand Cave, then back east to White Rocks overlook. Finally, return along Ridge Trail to 1-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.
| 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
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 path, thus many water bars. After a rain, several water crossings will be encountered with might have well placed stepping stones in place. Access to White Rock 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.
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
Duffield is closest town on way back with several fast food options.
Misc. Information
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
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.659" lon="-83.44" type="terrain" zoom="14" width="700" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/CGNP_Sand_Cave_and_White_Rocks.kml
(G) 36.652730,-83.436074 Trailhead (G) 36.657631,-83.435519 Intersection with horse trail/trail register (E) 36.667000,-83.443004 White Rock Overlook (G) 36.66593,-83.44638 Intersection of White Rock and Ridge Trails (G) 36.6675,-83.45892 Intersection of Ridge Trail and spur to Sand Cave (A) Parking Area (Q) bathroom </googlemap>
Photos
View from within the Sand Cave
View into Sand Cave
Group photo from Sept 2008 Hike
