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A rolling loop with a little of everything in the infrequently visited Cold Mountain Gamelands


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Map Key

12.2

Miles

19.6

KM

Loop

4,325' 1,318 m

High

2,966' 904 m

Low

3,002' 915 m

Up

2,998' 914 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

26%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Overview

This loop provides an overview of everything this side of the gamelands has too offer, including steep climbs, gravel forest roads, options for additional exploration, and minimally used roads.

Need to Know

This loop starts at the small parking area for the gamelands access. In the summer it may be better to use the access just to the north, as this access trail is likely to get overgrown but the roads you'll be running on are likely to be fine. You'll pass that access road soon after you start this loop heading north.

Description

This loop starts at the small parking area for the gamelands access (not marked but has an open gate). In the summer it may be better to use the access just to the north, as this access trail is likely to get overgrown but the roads you'll be running on are likely to be fine. You'll pass that access road soon after you start this loop heading north.

There is not much to describe, as this is a series of forestry roads, with varying degrees of maintenance and use, that are not marked. The best option is to use this or another app (I also have this on Gaia, and strava may work as well, with the heatmap) to track where you are going. There are options to make this longer and shorter.

The southern portion of this loop is quite spectacular, I think. The western portion, south of the beginning, is a great maintained forestry road that is a gentle grade, great for smooth forest running. You'll also find some absolutely gorgeous and soothing cascades out here. I am looking forward to spring as there is an abundance of mountain laurel.

I'll try to load other connecting trails/roads as I come across them.

Shared By:

Jason Doedderlein

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#4870

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  4.0 from 1 vote
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Recommended Route Rankings

#184

in North Carolina

#4,870

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Photos

White noise
Feb 26, 2023 near Hazelwood, NC
Guidance
Feb 26, 2023 near Hazelwood, NC

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