From the parking lot to the Manor house is 2.09 miles.  You start near the parking area running on the 1st green section of the map which will be counter clockwise around the lake.  Just keep the lake on your left.  In .37 mile you should cross over a bridge with stone side rails. 
That is where you should go up the trail on the right. 

In .37 mile you should cross over a bridge with stone side rails. That is where you should go UP the trail on the right not the trail by the lake.

In a half mile you should go straight. Do not take the trail to the right that goes to the Apple Barn.

The next turn is .73 mile up the trail. It is critical that you make the sharp left turn to go up toward the Manor House

The next turn is a very steep but short hill to the right.

At the top of that steep hill you should turn right and pass in front of the Carriage House.

Just after the Carriage House you will see the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail will take you to a short tunnel under the parkway.

When you come out of the tunnel you should turn left DOWN the hill.

Follow the winding downhill trail and you will go across Flannery Fork Road

After a short distance you will intersect the Trout Lake Trail

You should cross the dam and go .21 mile and make a very sharp right turn up the mountain.

After a 1.24 miles you will come to a gate to go throught

The next turn is a sharp turn to the right. Do not go left down the steep hill to Trout Lake. Remember this turn for the trip down.

Then you should take the trail that forks to the left.

Just stay on the main trail for 1.86 miles. Near the top you will see some narrow trails off to the right but don't take the first two. Take the one that looks like this.

You made it if you see this.

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