Clawhammer Cove Trail Map

Route map of the Clawhammer Cove Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Clawhammer Cove Trail Map

Route map of the Clawhammer Cove Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Clawhammer Cove Trail @ F.R. 5058 -- 3,000'

The upper terminus of the Clawhammer Cove Trail is here, along the gated Forest Service Road 5058. It's pretty easy to spot, as a brightly blazed tree marks the junction...

Clawhammer Cove Trail @ F.R. 5058 -- 3,000'

The Clawhammer Cove Trail as it departs from Forest Service Road 5058...

Clawhammer Cove Trail -- 2,960'

Leaving the road, the trail begins a steep descent alongside a narrow ravine...

Clawhammer Cove Trail -- 2,850'

The Clawhammer Cove Trail drops around 200-feet in its first quarter-mile, steep by any comparison for this area...

Clawhammer Cove Trail @ Clawhammer Falls Route -- 2,760'

At this point, where the trail makes a tight left curve (heading downhill), it pulls alongside Clawhammer Cove Creek...you can, at this point, decide if you want to visit the nearby and seldom-visited Clawhammer Falls. If so, start by picking up the faint path heading uphill from the very outside of the corner...

Clawhammer Falls -- 2,820'

Though half-covered in fallen branches and rhodo most don't find Clawhammer Falls to be much of a beauty. Few people ever visit it however, a rarity among waterfalls in these parts, which makes it a winner in my book...

Clawhammer Cove Trail -- 2,750'

On the main trail again, it's now time to continue downward. Just beneath the spur to Clawhammer Falls the route descends to make its first crossing of Clawhammer Cove Creek...

Clawhammer Cove Creek -- 2,740'

Looking upstream from the log bridge in the previous shot. This was a beautiful and noisy stream despite its diminutive size...

Clawhammer Cove Trail -- 2,700'

Below the upper crossing the trail continues its moderate downhill grade, staying high above the creek now all but covered in a thick blanket of rhododendron...

Clawhammer Cove Trail -- 2,650'

Continuing down the narrow, upper portion of Clawhammer Cove...

Clawhammer Cove Trail -- 2,600'

Winter storms have really done a number on a few less healthy bits of forest along this stretch...

Clawhammer Cove Trail -- 2,500'

Nearing the bottom of Clawhammer Cove the route flattens out again as the trail enters a grove of young conifers carpeted by a thin layer of club moss...

Clawhammer Cove Trail -- 2,470'

Arriving back alongside Avery Creek, near the southern terminus of the trail...

Clawhammer Cove/Avery Creek Trail Junction -- 2,470'

The Clawhammer Cove Trail as it arrives at the Avery Creek Trail, marking its southern terminus. Making a left across Avery Creek here, one can reach Forest Service Road 477 in about a quarter-mile...

Clawhammer Cove/Avery Creek Trail Junction -- 2,470'

Looking back at the Clawhammer Cove Trail as it arrives at the Avery Creek Trail. Crossing Avery Creek, via the bridge seen on the right here, it's only about a quarter-mile up to Forest Service Road 477.