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Take the Whitetail challenge, you won't regret it.


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Map Key

27.4

Miles

44.1

KM

60%

Singletrack

2,749' 838 m

High

1,407' 429 m

Low

3,683' 1,123 m

Up

3,682' 1,122 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

51%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

The described loop offers fantastic riding in a beautiful, remote area made-up with equal parts of singletrack and road. If you are looking for a long ride to challenge yourself, look no further. Even in the easier direction, the rough riding and climbs are not for the faint of heart. As a reward, you'll experience mountainous terrain, old school trails, rock gardens, stream crossings, stunning overlooks, and exhilarating descents. Whitetail is a classic waiting to be added to your memory bank. The stretch of singletrack from the Tebolt trailhead to the Lick Hollow Picnic area is not to be missed!

Parking is available at either end, so use whatever is most convenient. While the loop can be ridden in either direction, riding the singletrack from South to North minimizes (but does not eliminate!) tough climbing on difficult terrain. There are also other parking options that can be used to shorten the endeavor, including setting it up as a shuttle. To increase the amount of singletrack, one could ride out and back on Whitetail. A better option is riding the road (40 and Skyline) up to the point where Whitetail crosses Skyline. At this point, turn left onto the southern half of Whitetail and take it into the Quebec Run area. Descend Miller Trail (woo hoo!), ride Mill Run Trail to Tebolt Trail to Hess Trail and return on Whitetail Trail-Pine Knob Trail.

Need to Know

As mentioned, this is a remote area and it is likely that you'll see few, if any, others. Pack accordingly. Also, this is a hunting zone, so it pays to be aware of the season. There has been a longstanding law against hunting on Sunday making it the best choice if uncertain.

Description

Starting at Lick Hollow Picnic Area, exit to Route 40 and make the climb on the highway shoulder stopping to enjoy the view at the turnout and also the same view a bit further up in front of the restaurant/hotel. Turn right on Skyline and continue on the road all the way to the Tebolt trailhead. Along the way you'll pass the point where Whitetail Trail crosses (turn left onto the trail here for the option mentioned above). Further on, there will be a sharp right turn to stay on Skyline (left is Quebec Road). Continue several miles further and look for the Tebolt trailhead parking area on your left.

Descend Tebolt Trail staying to the left at the first junction. You are now riding part of the Clockwise Quebec loop. There are a few short steep climbs and fun descents. Continue on Hess Trail until its terminus at the start of Whitetail. Part way along you'll need to make a sharp left off a section of doubletrack to ascend a hill on the way to the final descent.

Whitetail Trail-Pine Knob Trail. Take Whitetail following the blazes up its difficult climbs, fun descents, rocky sections etc to where it crosses Skyline. Cross the road and continue on a fun section of trail culminating in a descent into a valley where it meets an old forest road. Look down and to the right and follow the trail to the stream crossing and up the other side. After the climb, follow the blazes as the tail takes you to a descent on a forest road. While descending, look for the trail to pick up again on the right. This will take you to Pine Knob Trail. To your left is a short out-and-back to an overlook. Take it! Return and take the other branch, which is an exceptional, rock-filled, descent down to the Lick Hollow Picnic Area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Adam Linstedt

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 6 votes

#2621

Overall
  3.8 from 6 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
17%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#76

in Pennsylvania

#2,621

Overall
20 Views Last Month
4,631 Since Jan 5, 2015
Difficult Difficult

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Photos

Hess trail is scenic and green.
Nov 23, 2018 near Fairchance, PA
Redstone Creek crossing.
Apr 12, 2020 near Hopwood, PA
Hike-a-fat-bike
Jan 6, 2015 near Fairchance, PA
Hess Trail in fall
Jan 6, 2015 near Fairchance, PA
Heading down to Redstone Creek.
Apr 12, 2020 near Fairchance, PA
Tebolt trailhead parking area
Jan 6, 2015 near Fairchance, PA

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