Fortney Loop Trail and Cove Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Description:
Fortney Loop Trail is adjacent to the Morris Hill Campground, north of Covington.
Total Distance:
2 ½ miles
Location/Directions:
From I-64 take Route 220 north, turn left onto Route 687. Turn left onto Route 641, Indian Draft Road, and continues as Route 641 becomes Route 666. At the Lake Moomaw Recreation Area entrance, turn right onto Route 605 to the Morris Hill Campground, on your left. Fortney Loop Trail is accessible from two points in the campground – the dump station, and the south end of the main campground loop road at campsite 33.
The Cove Trail branches off the north of the Fortney Loop Trail. This trail descends gradually 100 feet over approximately ¼ mile to a scenic cove on the lakeside opposite Coles Point. The Cove Trail is signposted. Parking is available both the dump station and next to site 33.
Difficulty: More Difficult
Elevation Gain:
N/A
Maps: N/A
Finding the Trailhead: The south end of the Fortney Loop Trail is at its intersection with Morris Hill Campground about 100 yards in from site 33.
The Hike:
The Fortney Loop Trail descends about 200 feet to Lake Moomaw across from the Fortney Branch Boat Launch, about one mile from trail’s beginning at the south end. The trail is well marked with a graded open tread in good condition. At first the descends gently along the ridge line through open forest before dropping more steeply downhill along several switchbacks to the abandoned asphalt surface of old Route 600, which was inundated under Lake Moomaw when the Gathright Dam was constructed in the 1980. It is interesting to see the efforts of the forest to reclaim the road. Turn right along the abandoned road to reach the lake with a view of the Fortney Branch boat launch. At the lake, stone steps, constructed by a Student Conservation Association work crew, lead to the return trail that winds pleasantly along the lakeside before gradually ascending through open forest to the intersection with the Cove Trail. The Cove Trail is a short branch trail with a gradual descent to Lake Moomaw across from Coles Point.
Bicyclists should use care navigating the abrupt switchbacks and the stone steps.
Fishing access to the bank of Lake Moomaw is possible from a number of points, especially when coupled with the Cove Trail.
