Buck Ridge Trail To Mary's Rock Loop

Nice moderate/strenuous loop that can be done by itself or included with an additional hike up to Mary's Rock. From the parking area on 21, head up the trail crossing the stream and go left to the blue blazed Buck Ridge trail. The first 1/2 mile is very steep and has more than 660 steps. Continue up the mountain passing a rock overlook until you come to a tee in the trail. Go right on the yellow blazed Hazel Mountain Trail for to the Hazel Mountain parking area. At this point you can either continue up to Mary's Rock or shorten the hike and turn right on the blue blazed Buck Hollow trail. To continue up to Mary's Rock cross Skyline Drive, walk 50 yards left uphill and head uphill on the Meadow Spring Trail for 0.6 miles passing the ruins of an old homestead about halfway before meeting the intersection of the white blazed Appalachian Trail and ridge line. Turn right on the AT following it for 0.8 miles before arriving at the junction of the Mary's Rock Lookout Trail. Turn left uphill on the Mary's Rock Lookout Trail and come to the Mary's Rock Vista. There is a fun rock scramble from here to the summit. To return, retrace your steps back along the AT and down the Meadow Spring Trail to the Hazel Mountain parking area on Skyline Drive. To continue, turn  left just below the parking lot onto blue blazed Buck Hollow Trail. The Buck Hollow Trail descends the valley crossing the stream several times. At the intersection of Buck Ridge trail, turn left on the Buck Hollow Trail and arrive back at the parking area.