About the Course
5.8 mile loop overnight hike.
From the parking area continue down FS48 for 0.2 miles. Just before the road splits the Hotel Trail will be on the right marked by two posts with blue blazes. Head up the blue blazed trail for 0.1 miles arriving at a wooden horse gate (the trail on the left leads down to the Mount Pleasant parking area). Stay straight on the Hotel Trail passing through the horse gate. Descend slightly, then in 0.6 miles head back uphill climbing a spur of Cold Mountain.
Reach the spur ridge entering a clearing 0.4 miles from beginning your ascent. At the end of the clearing is one of the prettiest back country campsites in the Blue Ridge. Situated among a stand of mature oak, this site is suitable for multiple tents.
On the southwest side of the campsite, or on its right corner as you approached, the blue blazed trail descends the spur. Continue to follow the blue blazed trail, cross a small stream, then arrive at the crest of a second spur in 1.5 miles (there is an overgrown abandoned trail on the left here).
Continue downhill on the blue blazed trail into Cowcamp Gap, cross Little Cove Creek, then in 200 yards Cowcamp Gap Shelter is on your right. 100 yards to the right/southeast of the shelter in is a large campsite suitable for 4-6 tents, and 75 yards to the left/northwest of the shelter is a spring and the source of Little Cove Creek.
Continue up the blue blazed trail, on the opposite side of the creek than the shelter, and in 75 yards turn left on the Hotel Trail at the sign towards the Appalachian Trail (AT). (turning right and crossing Little Cove Creek at this point leads back to the spring and shelter. note: this side trail is also blue blazed)
Continue up the Hotel Trail for 0.5 miles to the intersection of the AT. Turn right/north on the white blazed AT and make two switchbacks, pass two view points, then arrive at the first open meadow and 4033ft summit of Cold Mountain in 1.2 miles. Continue, passing through a small stand of trees before reaching the the main Cold Mountain saddle, and largest of the high mountain meadows. The saddle provides a 360° panoramas with views of Pompey Mountain and Mount Pleasant.
After re-entering the forest at the end of the meadow, follow the white blazed AT as it winds its way downhill for the remaining 0.6 miles back to FS48 and hike parking area on the right.
Your Instructor
Richard Garyantes
Upon retiring from a long career in the military and law enforcement, I found myself wondering what I would do with my time moving forward.
I began hiking in 2007 and became more serious about it over the years. I have sectioned hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to New Jersey, and am excited to begin to tackle the northern sections as time allows.
Many people that I have met have expressed interest in backpacking but admit that they are afraid about going out on their own, or don't have the proper equipment to start. This helped me to form the idea of starting a business to provide the basic backpacking essentials for people who are interested, as well as to guide them on backpacking trips that can be tailored to various abilities and skillsets.
Helping people become more comfortable with overnight backpacking trips will allow them to decide if they truly enjoy backpacking and will give them a baseline of what supplies they will need to purchase for their own personal backpacking adventures.
Allowing people to explore nature brings me joy, and will also, hopefully, bring them joy as well, for many trips to come.