Name: Bald Knob & The Laurels Loop
Rating: 4.5

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Overview

This is a technical loop that climbs Green Shoot, and crosses Bald Knob Ridge Trail before dropping down Maguire Trail and then climbing to the fire tower on the fire road. It then continues by dropping down New Laurel Run Trail only to climb 1/2 way back up to the fire tower. Enjoy Old Laurel Run Trail before crossing the infamous Three Bridges Trail on your way to Galbraith Gap Trail and back to the car.

Description

You'll get to warm the legs up by climbing Laurel Run Rd for ~1.5 miles then veering off onto the technical Green Shoot and its rock gardens. You then climb up to Bald Knob Ridge Trail and work your way across Bald Knob Ridge Trail and its variety of rock gardens and lots of rocks to keep you on your toes. Be sure to stop at the overlook to take in the view and then head down to Maguire Trail. Maguire Trail is fast and flowy, but watch out as there are a few surprise corners on your way down to Lower Trail, where you'll want to keep left on and follow out to Laurel Run Rd.

Climb Laurel Run Rd up and over the top taking the left just over the crest onto Little Flat Fire Tower Rd. Climb this all the way up to the fire tower. Just as you reach the fire tower, the entrance to New Laurel Run Trail will be on your right. Go in here and you'll have a short flat area before you start descending along the old telephone poles. At one point, the trail will turn left and become a series of switchbacks through the rock gardens down to Laurel Run Rd.

Make a right and climb back up to Little Flat Fire Tower Rd, make a right and continue climbing as before only this time, instead of going around the gate, make a left onto Old Laurel Run Trail. Prepare for a rock garden bonanza on the fast downhill to the entrance to Three Bridges Trail. Make the right onto Three Bridges Trail and follow this to Lonberger Trail, making the hard left onto the Lonberger Path reroute and down the "yellow brick rd." Cross over Laurel Run Rd and continue down Galbraith Gap Trail to bring you back to the parking lot.