Cowens Gap-Tuscarora Loop
Mar 14, 2016 7:44:03 GMT -5
Post by christopherrobin on Mar 14, 2016 7:44:03 GMT -5
Max the Dog and I hit the trail Saturday morning. Even though we got there early, we couldn't do the 2nd half of the hike before the rain came. The 1st half was worth the trip though!
From the parking lot it was a climb pretty much straight up to the top of the ridge on Tuscarora Trail. Steep but really cleared up and with some nice switchbacks. You get views to the east, south and north from the top a few places along the trail. Once you get to Geyer Trail, it becomes a nice grass road walk. There are plenty of drive in campsites, the road must be open at least some of the time. There is one last push up to the main overlook, but it has been re-worked to make it easier. You can see the original trail as you wind around making use of the woods road, that original trail was straight up.
The overlook is amazing, and worth the climb. Unfortunately you can drive there so there is graffiti and trash, but if you ignore it there are wonderful views.
Stopped by the Big Mountain Shelter on the way out, what a nice shelter! Not sure if there is water though, might be a spring below it. Only water we saw after leaving the parking lot was one puddle on the woods road.
Geyer Trail is a straight shot down the hill, it would have been tough a couple weeks ago when there was still snow on the ground.
You can see the ridges on both sides now, but the trees were budding so it won't last long.
All in all, it was a really nice hike! I am definitely up for doing it again!
From the parking lot it was a climb pretty much straight up to the top of the ridge on Tuscarora Trail. Steep but really cleared up and with some nice switchbacks. You get views to the east, south and north from the top a few places along the trail. Once you get to Geyer Trail, it becomes a nice grass road walk. There are plenty of drive in campsites, the road must be open at least some of the time. There is one last push up to the main overlook, but it has been re-worked to make it easier. You can see the original trail as you wind around making use of the woods road, that original trail was straight up.
The overlook is amazing, and worth the climb. Unfortunately you can drive there so there is graffiti and trash, but if you ignore it there are wonderful views.
Stopped by the Big Mountain Shelter on the way out, what a nice shelter! Not sure if there is water though, might be a spring below it. Only water we saw after leaving the parking lot was one puddle on the woods road.
Geyer Trail is a straight shot down the hill, it would have been tough a couple weeks ago when there was still snow on the ground.
You can see the ridges on both sides now, but the trees were budding so it won't last long.
All in all, it was a really nice hike! I am definitely up for doing it again!