Can't make it to Scotland or Switzerland anytime soon to hike those spectacular high mountain meadows? Well right here in the Old Dominion we have the next best thing! Every hiker in the mid-Atlantic should hike Cold Mountain at least once. The 360° meadow views from the saddle are are some of the best on the east coast.
Cold Mountain is the sister circuit to the Mount Pleasant hike on the next ridge. If you are looking for a slightly longer hike, or a backpack, consider combining this hike with the Mount Pleasant route for a combined 11.3 mile figure eight circuit.
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.
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Reviews For The Cold Mountain Hike (5 Most Recent)
I am a seasoned backpacker. I go about 30 miles a week, and am attempting to hike every peak I can find in va this was an awesome hike, with meadows, overlooks, dense pine forests, historic stone walls, huge trees. This hike was very easy if you hike often. This is a must do for anyone who lives in the area!
By:
Eebee4
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 29, 2011
Wonderful. Overnighted at Hotel site in season's first snow. Can't describe the beauty of the ice frozen to the trees and ground cover. Amazing views and varied terrain. As good if not better than the Pleasant Mtn hike. Highly recommend.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Since this is the 2nd hike I've taken from reading HU, I thought I would give a review.
Getting to the trail: If you're coming from the Lynchburg area, the safest way would be US29 to US60. But we took the scenic route up US501 and the BRP. The unpaved forest road (FS48) is very rocky and bumpy. My front-wheel drive car made it, but the drive was very cautious and slow as to not bash the oil pan on a rock. A vehicle with higher ground clearance like an SUV or Truck would be recommended. For parking, there was plenty when I was there, but you could go park at the Mount Pleasant trailhead if you needed to, since the Hotel trail goes within sight of it.
Route: I did the clockwise loop, as suggested, and that is definitely the way to go. There are some undulations and some steep sections so it's not the easiest, but good for working the legs. The section on the AT was a gradual up and down. I ate lunch just past the USGS marker on a rocky section to the right protected from the wind.
While the weather was a nice 75F and clear east of the Blue Ridge and the foliage is in peak color along the lower elevations, the leaves had all fallen off the trees at 3300-4000 feet where this hike takes place. And the temperatures were 15F cooler. I would suggest doing this hike in late September / early October for more leaves and more colorful foliage.
As the trip guide mentions, it took right at 3.5 hours, even with a short stop for lunch.
Next year, I'll be doing my higher altitude hikes in September/early October.
By:
Two hikers, Two Dogs
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 01, 2011
Decided to try this hike based on the reviews here and really enjoyed it. We hiked it as written (up the Hotel Trail, down the AT) and were glad that we did, as the reward of the views came rather near the end. We brought our two dogs along and they seemed quite pleased with the trail as well. It was a beautiful fall day, albeit a bit cold and breezy, but the visibility was great to the east and west and we enjoyed the meadows at the top. Thanks for an informative website catered to hikes in this region!
By:
jonny e
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, September 25, 2011
Did this hike via the AT coming up Bald Knob (parked at Long Mtn Wayside on Rte 60), and linked this loop to the Mt Pleasant Loop for a long day hike.
I've hiked cold mountain before on a sunny day and seen the glorious views, but yesterday foggy and rainy, unfortunately, obscuring any views from the top. Nonetheless, there is still plenty to enjoy on this hike, and it was a nice change-up, felt like being in a cloud forest. The leaves on some of the oaks are changing, the ferns on the way down to the parking area on FS48 are bright gold, squirrels and salamanders scampering around. Sort of a metaphor for enjoying the things close-by, instead of chasing the next big thing. The meadow at the top is a really great place to stop and look around. A perfect spot for a picnic and lingering on a sunny day. There are 2 nice rock outcroppings on the AT section. Somewhat surprisingly, only saw 4 other groups out the whole day, so less foot traffic than I would have guessed. All in all, a very nice hike, probably would have gone 4 stars on a sunny day, and will definitely return. Bring your wind-gear or rain jacket if you go in late fall, winter...as the name implies, it really can get chilly up there!
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