Lost Cove/Wilson Creek trip report

“On February 14th, two intrepid explorers, Beanhed and Hyway, set out for the wilds of Lost Cove in the Wilson Creek area of North Carolina where rumor had it that we would be meeting up with other explorers. After a brief stop in Greensboro to pick up some vital expedition gear our heroes were off once more. Slightly behind schedule, but still expecting a 5pm arrival at the campsite, our spirits were high despite the rain and forecast of more rain for next 3 days. Our spirits were soon crushed when we found ourselves stuck in a traffic jam caused by a jackknifed Tractor-Trailer. 10 miles and 1 ½ hours later we were on our way once more. Arriving at the campsite at 6:30 we discovered we were the only ones there. There was a set of truck tire tracks at the campsite, so perhaps someone did show, but decided not to wait. We set-up camp quickly while there was a brief respite in the rain. Soon after the tent was up, the rain returned. After a quick meal inside the tent and some quality time spent with a good book, we turned in for the night.

Saturday morning we awoke to clear skies. There was even a bit of blue splashed among gray overcast above us. We waited till 9:45 just in case anyone decided to come, but when no one showed we took off for the trailhead. With full packs, mine severely overloaded (I need to get more disciplined in choosing what to leave behind), we started the downhill toward the Lost Cove Trail. One thing became abundantly clear upon reaching the Hemlock campsites. This cove is no longer lost. I lost count of the number of fire rings we passed along this trail.

The trail from the Hunt Fish Falls parking lot to the Roseborough parking lot was well marked and fairly well maintained. First of all, I want to say that Beanhed is a hiking machine. I, on the other hand, am a hiking train wreck. It was all I could do just to stay within hollering distance, and that was with him stopping every so often to wait for me to catch up. Now, on with the hike. The creek was pleasant and the falls pretty cool. All in all, a nice hike. We stopped for lunch at the Roseborough lot. Here the white blazes we had been following continued on over the bridge and onward along another trail. After a brief search for the lost cove trail, we were off again.

After a steady climb, we arrived at the spot where the Timber Ridge trail met the Lost Cove Trail. Ridgeline hiking, I thought, this should be easy. It might have been if my pack wasn’t so heavy and if there had actually been a trail here. I am new to backpacking, so I haven’t been on many trails, but this was the worst maintained trail I have ever seen. Branches grew all the way across the trail. Deadfalls were everywhere. If you weren’t going over or around them, you were going under. I once had to crawl on my belly to get through. Still, the view through the leafless trees was nice, not to mention the occasional overlook.

Then the trail started down. The first section, about 300 feet, looked like a bobsled track – big gully with no footholds, just steep and sandy. After that it was switchback after switchback through Rhodadendrums that had all but taking over the trail. This was no Rhodadendrum tunnel – a tunnel implies an opening in the middle. I actually enjoyed this section even with the leaves slapping me in the face. It felt like I was in a rainforest and the descent was fairly mild. Halfway down I sucked the last of my water from my hydration bladder. I could here the creek below and was eager to reach it.

Finally reaching the Lost Cove Creek we made a brief stop to filter water, and then we we were off. The trail here was tough to follow at times since it crossed the creek so many times – a minimum of 10 times at last count. The water was up do to the rain and melting snow. My boots were soon soaked and I slipped once and went up to the thigh of one leg. Thank goodness the water wasn’t any deeper or I would have been swimming. Once my feet were soaked, water crossings became easier. I couldn’t get any wetter so I stopped trying to rock hop and just walked across. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves once again at the intersection of Hunt Fish Trail (#263) and Lost Cove Trail.

It had been a good hike, 8.2 miles so far. The rain had held off, the temps had been in the fifties. After a brief discussion we decided that we should get out while the getting was good. We didn’t have access to a weather report, but the last we heard was that freezing rain was do for Sunday. So, we took off up the trail back to the parking lot. Since this was a downhill on the way in, it was an uphill on the way out, funny how you don’t think about that when you start off. I found myself wandering several times if I should have camped out and started the trail in the morning when I was fresh . Still I trudged onward and upward. Somebody had carved smiley faces in all the white circle blazes. The sight of them kept my spirits up. Eventually I made it to the parking lot where Beanhed, the hiking machine, had already changed clothes. He was sitting in a barca lounger with girls dressed in Hawaiian leis and coconut bras fanning him with palm fronds and serving him margaritas. Ok, so maybe I was hallucinating. Truth be told, he had only changed his clothes and started the car, but to a depleted and broken man coming off the trail the car looked like a bit of paradise.

I enjoyed the hike even though I had to work for it. I’ve gained more knowledge to put in my pack (or should I say knowledge of what to TAKE OUT of my pack). I’ve learned that Beanhed is good at reading a map and following the trail. He’s a good guy, and I would hike with him anytime.”

“nice trip report, at least I know what to expect when I go on the Lost Cove 2003 trip in April. Did you take any pics?”

“Very entertaining trip report. Obviously you must not had time to take any pictures!”

“Did I read this correctly? You hiked in 8.2 miles, turned around and returned. If so, you did 16.4 miles with a heavy backpack in rain on a obstacle course trail, and more than half the hike was with wet boots(feet) and maybe some wet clothes. And you are new to backpacking. I am duely impressed! Nice going.”

“Yes I took pictures, but I am old school and have to wait for them to be developed. Maybe I should have waited till I had them in hand to post this.

nowslimmer, I wish that I could do 16.4 miles in one day :). The approach trail (Hunt Fish Falls trail) is 0.7 mile to Lost Cove Trail. The Lost Cove Trail is a 7.5 mile long loop. The 8.2 miles includes the approach trail and the loop trail all the way back to where the approach trail intersected the Lost Cove Trail 9the place where we started the Lost Cove Trail). We were then only 0.7 miles from the car which made us closer to the car than the place we planned to camp. Hope that clears it up. Although we could have camped anywhere. There were so many campsites on this trail that you could toss a dead cat 10 times and hit a camp site on 7 of the throws.”

“I think I made a wise decision to pass on this one! I missed the company but don't think I'm quite ready for that yet! ;) I know..I'm still a wuss!”

“Good trip report I like the part about Hiking Train Wreck I have never heard that one before.

With time you will shed off pounds from the pack.

8)

Can't wait to see some picture.”

“I didn't take that many pics. I meant to take a few of the creek crossings, but everytime I approached one I was thinking about where to cross instead. I need to get my priorities in order :)

crazygurl, you would have done ok if it was just a dayhike like was originally planned.”

“Nice trip report!

Hopefully I'll see some of you nuts on the April trip. Call me a wimp but I don't do wet winter trips. I don't need to biuld character, I am a character.”

“pamster, what hike are you planning to do in April? For the record, we didn't get rained on. It rained on our tent Friday night, but we were dry inside.”

“there is a TT trip planned the 1st week of April
Lost Cove 2003”

“ok, I remember seeing that. Its in the middle of teh week right? I am taking my daughters on their first "real" backpacking trip to Mt. Rogers that first weekend in April.”

“I just looked. That trip is the same days as my hike to Mt Rogers. Well you guys should enjoy it. pretty waterfalls there”