The Cove Creek Loop is an immensely popular hike off Forest Road 475 north of Brevard. There's good reason for this fact. For one, there's a group campground. From a natural standpoint though this loop sports beautiful, mature cove forests, Cove Creek Falls, and a scenic walk through the rugged Caney Bottom drainage. That, and by mountain standards the elevation change is minimal making for a fairly easy walk.

As you might expect, the primary objective of this hike was a visit to Cove Creek Falls. I was only intending on doing the entire loop if the forecast of rain held off. It held off all right, just long enough for me to decide I was going to do the entire loop and was to far along to change my mind. Oh well, you hike enough you're gonna get wet. If anything its good waterfall food and lord knows they need it this year! So come along me on a rather damp tour of one of the Pisgah Ranger District's most popular day hikes...

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.283123, -82.816954

Route Type: Lollipop      Difficulty: CHALLENGING (Petzoldt Rating: 5.70 )      Hike Length: 4.5 miles      Hike Duration: 2:00      Trailhead Temp: 75'F                         Trail Traffic: 10-25 people      Min. Elevation: 2,560'      Max. Elevation: 3,050'      Total Vertical Gain: 600'      Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile: 133'

Trails Used (Blaze Color): Cove Creek (yellow), Caney Bottom (blue)

5-28-2015