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A short, pleasant loop in Rough Creek Watershed.


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Map Key

3.2

Miles

5.2

KM

Loop

4,030' 1,228 m

High

3,629' 1,106 m

Low

441' 135 m

Up

427' 130 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

13%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

Driving in is not well marked. When you see a gate on the left and a sign on the road ahead saying "no parking. Private property" etc., turn left and go through the gate (close it behind you).

Description

I don't know if I've ever come across an area with so many consistent wildflowers throughout the year, and you are pretty much guaranteed to have the place to yourself.

After the steep climb up the access trail, things mellow out on this loop. The trail follows an old forest road with gentle grades and is easy to follow. Simply always stay to the left of any intersection if hiking counterclockwise. This is the innermost loop/trail. Taking a right will spin you out further into the trail system. Staying to the left on the forestry road will keep you on this loop. Use the Hiking Project mobile app if you have any concerns.

The trail is heavily forested with a splendid mix of hardwoods, and some softwoods, and an ever-present assortment of wildflowers (the most amazing trillium display in Spring, particularly on the adjacent Cherry Cove Trail). This is an infrequently used set of trails and rarely is anyone else out there. A benefit of being a bit out of the way.

The trail can hold water in spots and get a bit muddy, but rarely is it problematic. Cherry Cove Trail is one of my favorite stretches of trail in the country.

Shared By:

Jason Doedderlein

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 3 votes

#24212

Overall
  3.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
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Trail Rankings

#948

in North Carolina

#24,212

Overall
3 Views Last Month
315 Since Mar 15, 2020
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

50%
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Photos

Inner loop
Oct 8, 2020 near West Ca…, NC

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Jul 12, 2023
Stephen Scott
Feb 8, 2021
Rick REGENFUSS
3.5" snow at the top. Sighted two red shouldered hawks and a pileated woodpecker. Ours were the only human tracks in the snow once we got to the loop
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