This hike has old growth forest on Roaring Run, small waterfalls along Pitt Spring Run and a great view of the Luray Valley from the Pitt Spring Overlook. This is another one of those hikes that has a bit of everything. However, at 10.5 miles it can be a long one day loop.
Start the hike by re-crossing Roaring Run over the concrete ford, turn left up the purple blazed Roaring Run Trail. In 0.1 miles cross the run continuing along the trail with Roaring Run now on your right. In 0.9 miles cross the run again and turn left as the trail now heads uphill. Shortly pass an old forestry road on your right, re-cross the run, and pass over a wide FS road 0.5 miles since making the left uphill.
Continue along the purple blazed trail and in another 0.5 miles cross a clear cut underground pipeline. The trail will become narrower as it ascends the valley. In 0.3 miles from the pipeline the trail is diverted slightly to to the right. If you miss the detour and continue straight the trail will become blocked with blow downs and will appear to end. Just continue for another 50 yards and you will see the trail uphill 20 yards on your right. Continue on the purple blazed trail as it makes a switchback to the right, then back left before turning uphill in another 0.3 miles.
Climb Big Mountain on the purple blazed trail and reach the ridge and small camp site in another 0.5 miles. Descend Big Mountain on it's west side for 0.5 miles where the purple blazed trail ends and arrives at the Big Mountain forestry service (FS) road, which is also the orange blazed Mountain South Trail.
Turn left downhill on the orange blazed FS road for 2.8 miles. You may see one or two vehicles, so remember to keep an ear out. Pitt Spring and the continuation of the orange blazed Mountain South Trail turns right where the FS road you have been following makes a sharp left. There is a closed gate and small wooden footbridge that crosses Pitt Spring Run.
Turn right over the footbridge, pass the spring, and climb the orange blazed Mountain South Trail for 1.0 mile to the intersection of the white blazed Pitt Spring Overlook Trail. Turn left on the white blazed trail and in 0.2 miles pass a side trail that goes to the right. In another 0.1 miles arrive at the Pitt Spring Overlook and foundation of an old lookout tower. Return back down the white blaze trail, turn right on the orange blazed trail retracing your route back to Pitt Spring, and re-crossing the footbridge over Pitt Spring Run.
Turn right downhill on the FS road you had been following earlier. The FS road is narrow at this point so remember to keep an ear out for traffic. Pass an old FS road that heads uphill on the left in 1.4 miles, and in another 0.5 miles TURN LEFT where the road forks (remaining straight crosses a concrete ford over Pitt Spring Run). In 0.2 miles arrive back at Catherine Furnace and the parking area.
