Cove Creek Falls

Driving directions**:  From the college, drive right on Broad Street for several miles until you get to the Pisgah Forest intersection (near the Wal-Mart store).  Turn left into Pisgah Forest (Route 276N).  Continue for 5.2 miles and turn left onto 475 (toward the fish hatchery).  Drive a total of 3.2 miles on 475 until you get to the parking lot for Cove Creek Campground (group camping by reservation).  Park on the left.  Begin the hike by walking along the gravel road past the gate (on the right side of the road) toward the campground.  The hike is about one mile each way.

Hiking directions:  Begin the hike on the gravel road.  The road soon goes through the creek - take the walking bridge to the right of the road.  Continue 0.3 miles along the gravel road to a large grassy field with bathrooms at the far side.  There are at least two ways to get to the falls - straight ahead or to the left past the restrooms.  I prefer to make it a loop, going up past the restrooms heading up the hill for about 100 yards to where the path forks.  Take the fork to the right.  Go about 0.25 miles to a second fork and also take the right fork, following a sign for Caney Bottom Loop Trail.  Continue another 0.25 miles to a primitive campsite in a hemlock grove beside Cove Creek.  Continue on this side of the creek heading upstream for another 0.25 miles.  You'll hear the falls off to the right.  Follow the steep, short path up hill to the falls.  Sit on the rocks and relax for awhile.  You can then go back the way you came or continue on following these directions for an easy "loop" hike.  At the falls, go across the creek and follow the path on the other side.  It drops very steeply at first, then is easy, opening into another large grassy area (where there are more restrooms).  Continue through the field, following the road.  Soon you may notice a sliding rock to the left, where I saw kids sliding and having a blast in the cold water.  Continue along the gravel road, coming to a 2nd grassy field, then follow the road on back to the footbridge and campground entrance where you'll find your car.  Allow extra time if you want to do the "sliding rock" (between the first and second grassy fields)  into the cold water.  As always be careful and check for rocks and glass under the surface of the water.  There is a very dangerous place (closer to the entrance) where I saw some older kids contemplating trying to "slide" down a steep and dangerous rock.  That area was not safe.  Kevin Adams rates the falls a beauty rating of 7 and a difficulty rating of 6 (on a scale of 1-10).  I didn't think the trail should be rated that difficult.
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Important Information
? *As always, when hiking you should always:
? Hike with someone
? Let others know where you are going and when you expect to return
? Wear appropriate footwear and clothing (carry rain gear)
? Carry water (and snacks)
? Have a map of the area (available downtown at the Forest Place or at Dolly’s ice cream shop (at the corner of 64, 276 and 280, near Wal-Mart)

** I am not responsible for anyone getting lost or injured when taking one of these hikes.  Neither is the College.  You are responsible for making sure you are adequately prepared.
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