Sycamore Cove Loop Trail Map

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

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail Map

Sycamore Cove Loop North Trailhead (US-276) -- 2,160'

This is the northern trailhead for the Sycamore Cove Loop Trail along US-276. As you can see here there really isn't much space to park if one wanted to start the hike from the highway. There is a pulloff on the opposite side big enough for a few cars but that's likely to fill quickly on a busy weekend. Your best bet is to start at the nearby Art Loeb Trailhead and follow the Art Loeb to a short connector path which will bring you to the highway directly across from this spot...

Sycamore Cove Loop North Trailhead (US-276) -- 2,160'

Starting the Sycamore Cove Loop Trail, seen departing its north trailhead on U.S. 276...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,160'

The loop begins by following this small meandering tributary...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,160'

Passing through a wet area at its start, the trail keeps hikers dry by crossing a couple handy boardwalks...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,160'

Turning up into the woods, away from the flat wetlands...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,160'

The trail as it turns away form the highway and up into the hills...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,200'

The trail gains elevation quickly at first, with a few glimpses down through the trees to what might be ranger residences near the U.S.F.S. visitor center...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,200'

Entering the valley of Starens Branch...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,220'

There are some impressively tall pines along this early part of the loop...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,240'

Ruins of some kind...possibly an old well...sit alongside the trail...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,250'

The valley has a typical look for this part of the mountains, with hardwoods towering above a thick understory of mixed rhododendron and other shrubs...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,250'

This interesting concrete pillar sits alongside the trail as it pulls up alongside the creek. I wonder about its story...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,260'

Arriving at the trails lower crossing of Starens Branch...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,260'

A simple log bridge carries the trail across tiny Starens Branch...

Starens Branch -- 2,260'

Just above the crossing is this tiny, but incredibly scenic, unnamed cascade...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,280'

Looking back down at the lower crossing of Starens Branch as the trail starts to climb again. The cascade from the previous shot is hidden beneath the rhodo on the left...

Sycamore Cove Loop/Starens Branch Trail Junction -- 2,300'

Just beyond the crossing the trail switches back steeply, up to its junction with the the unofficial-yet-marked Starens Branch Trail...

Sycamore Cove Loop/Starens Branch Trail Junction -- 2,300'

The Sycamore Cove Loop at the junction with the unofficial-yet-marked Starens Branch Trail. The trail arrives on the right and continues by switching back on the left to continue the loop...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,340'

Resuming the climb up along the side of the valley...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,380'

The huge skeletons of dead hemlocks are a common and sad sight along this part of the trail...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,400'

Looking back down and across the valley...

Sycamore Cove Loop Trail -- 2,420'

As you can see the trail has gained a bit of elevation above the creek at this point. You can hear it far below but, for the most part, it remains hidden by a thick blanket of rhododendron...