Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area
Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint–Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail, 3 sights
11.7 mi · ▲ 2,167 ft · 4 hr 59 min
Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint–Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail, 3 sights is an 11.7-mile out-and-back in Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area near Kawana, NC. The route reaches Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint at the turnaround, 5.9 miles in. It climbs 2,167 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 71/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint–Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail, 3 sights
11.7 mi · ▲ 2,167 ft · 4 hr 59 min
Elevation 2,884–3,766 ft
Out & Back · Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area
Trailhead: Dixon Springs · 35.99508, -81.84321
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:51 PM
- Start on Dixon Springs, heading SE.
- 0.3 miSharp right onto Headquarters Mountain Trail, heading W.
- 1.2 miBear left, heading N.
- 1.2 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.4 miBear right onto Old Mortimer Road, heading N.
- 450 ftSharp left, heading N.
- 0.9 miBear left, heading N.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail, heading N.
- 1.7 miReach Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading SW.
- 1.5 miContinue straight onto Old Mortimer Road, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 1 miBear left, heading E.
- 0.4 miSharp left, heading SW.
- 1.2 miBear right onto Headquarters Mountain Trail, heading E.
- 1.2 miSharp left onto Dixon Springs, heading E.
- 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 5.1 mi in (~162 min). Leave by 4:49 PM for the 7:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
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