Parking
Location: 36.0314706, -81.803062
From Mortimer Rec Area on FR 981, Parking spot will be on left just before bridge and Junction with FR 192.
Trail Start/End
Location: 36.0317135, -81.8036413
Cross bridge, turn left on short jeep road, pick up MST (white/blue blaze) in downstream corner of meadow. Follow Gragg Prong and expect to cross the creek several (4) times.
Waterfalls
Location: 36.0207459, -81.7932022
@1.2 miles perfect swim holes, sunning rocks, falls
Lost Cove Creek
Location: 36.0127332, -81.7932773
Trail will turn right and upstream along Lost Cove Creek.
Timber Ridge Trail Junction
Location: 36.0126754, -81.7937279
@ 2.3 miles junction with Timber Ridge Trail (FS261) to R (N) which is its eastern terminus. Continue straight on LCT/MST along Lost Cove Creek to Hunt Fish Falls.
Popular Campsites
Location: 36.0158111, -81.7968714
Very nice but popular (overused) campsites along flattest area you may find along the creek. Good swimming opportunities.
Hunt Fish Falls
Location: 36.0138383, -81.8038344
Photo Op. Nice swim hole in summer.
Hunt Fish Trail Junction (263)
Location: 36.0134912, -81.8053365
South and uphill from here will lead out to FS464 via Hunt Fish Falls Trail (263). Same trail to the north leads to Timber Ridge Trail.
Creek Crossing - New Blaze
Location: 36.01363, -81.8055511
Cross creek above main falls and continue to the left to pick up a PINK blaze (yes pink) which will remain the trail blaze for the remainder of this loop.
Log Bridge
Location: 36.0149433, -81.8106902
The only bridge on this loop, single log with a hand-rail.
Trail Turn
Location: 36.017512, -81.8162799
At a double blazed creek crossing make a left up the creek bed. If you don't turn you are likely to see a log across the trail with a carving which says "Turn Back" beyond which the trail fades away. Turn left instead and look for the pink blaze beyond yet another creek crossing.
Little Lost Cove Creek
Location: 36.0226896, -81.8265259
Obvious crossing of tributary away from main creek.
FS 464A
Location: 36.027329, -81.8315363
Gated fire road ends here after descending approximately 2 miles from FS 464. Cross creek for last time here.
Campsite
Location: 36.027462, -81.831193
After last creek crossing at very large cairn in creekbed (and the dead-end of FR464A), you'll find several campsites to choose from with easy access to water and deadfall for firewood. Day 2 follow the pink blaze to head up well maintained switchbacks toward Bee Mountain.
Old Trail Junction - Bee Mountain
Location: 36.0323729, -81.8239295
Forest Service Rd/old trail junction, follow ridge (R) to SE around Bee Mountain. Continuing straight or left would take you onto private land. Don't go there.
Unknown Trail Junction
Location: 36.0281157, -81.8202066
Yellow Blaze, not specifically shown on local maps. Large campsite here on ridge but no water readily available
TImber Ridge Trail Junction (261)
Location: 36.0230975, -81.8110871
Turn Left here to return to LCT trailhead. Junction is with the western end of the Timber Ridge Trail. Continuing straight would return to confluence of Gragg Prong and Lost Cove Creek at the eastern end of Timber Ridge Trail.
FR464 Access
Location: 36.0075202, -81.801281
Southern Access to Lost Cove Loop via Hunt-Fish Falls Trail (USFS#263)
ADD A COMMENT