The 0.8-mile Whiteoak-Cedar Run Link Trail that connects the WhiteOak Canyon Trail to Cedar Run Trail is permanently closed as it was severely undercut by recent flooding in the nearby stream. As the stream eroded the stream bank, it caused downed trees and unstable ground. A significant section of the trail is unsafe for foot traffic, as what appears to be solid ground could collapse and fall 8-15 feet at any time. The Whiteoak-Cedar Run Link Trail is now fully closed and venturing off trail near the stream is not recommended, as additional sections of seemingly solid ground is undercut and could collapse.
Revised Route from Skyline Drive - Hikers who typically took the Link Trail as part of the popular loop hike from Skyline Drive will now continue down the mountain to the junction of Whiteoak Trail and Cedar Run Trail instead. The revised circuit adds up to 0.3 mile, for a total of ~8.5 miles to hike Whiteoak and Cedar Run as a loop from Hawksbill Gap. There are no route changes for any of the common loop hikes from the boundary.
Why - In August of 2016, trail crews performed a temporary fix to this ongoing area of concern, relocating a section of Whiteoak-Cedar Run Link Trail. At that time crews moved the trail up the steep slope embankment until hitting significant terrain obstacles. It was a matter of time before this section was undercut as well. Due to heavy rains and flooding in August of 2020, the trail section along the eroding stream bank has once again become unsafe. Repair is no longer an option without stream bank stabilization, significant re-route and construction of a complicated and expensive new section of trail (and potentially a new bridge). Since there are easily accessed nearby trail routes, Park management has opted to abandon this trail and is in the process of rehabilitating the area. Please do not access or alter the work of the trail crew. This closure only adds 0.2-0.3 mile to the primary circuit hike of roughly 8 miles.
Tags: alert whiteoak canyon
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
