When crossing Tuscarora Creek in Leesburg, the trail's elevation of is lower than the highest elevation that it reached in Arlington. After crossing that stream, the trail climbs northwest in to reach its highest elevation () while traveling on a bridge carrying VA 9 (Charles Town Pike) over VA 7 near the saddle point of Clarke's Gap in Catoctin Mountain. before this crossing, the trail travels under an old stone arch that formerly carried VA 7 over the W&OD Railroad.