Greasy Cove Trail
3.2 mi - Difficult - This trail initially traverses Grassy Cove Ridge at or near its crest, with minimal views other than of the Parkway, until it drops down to Greasy Cove Prong. Caution: The trail is especially difficult to see during this descent. It follows the prong until that stream meets the East Fork of the Pigeon River, where the trail terminates at the junction of the Big East Fork (#357) and Bridges Camp Gap (#607) trails.
Approximate Elevation Change: 1,700 feet
Blaze: None
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
Year-round
yes
Hiking Trail: foot traffic only.
Address: 1600 Pisgah Highway Pisgah Forest , NC 28768
Phone: (828) 877-3265
Hours: Peak Season Hours (April 1-Nov. 15) 9 AM-5 PM daily; Off-season Hours (Nov. 16-March 31) 9 am-5 pm M-F (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.pisgahrd@usda.gov
Getting There
Directions
This trail, completely within the Shining Rock Wilderness Area (see note below regarding wilderness areas and their signage), runs from the vicinity of Ivestor Gap to the Big East Fork Trail (#357). There are three ways to access its unmarked trailheads:
From the Pisgah District Ranger Station/Visitor Center parking lot, turn right (north) on US 276. Proceed 14 miles north; turn right onto access ramp for the Blue Ridge Parkway, then left (south) on Parkway. Proceed south approximately 8½ miles to FS 816 (Black Balsam Road), on your right near milepost 420. Turn right and proceed 1.3 miles to the end of the road. Ivestor Gap Trail (#102) is an abandoned roadbed behind a gate on the east side of the parking lot. (The roadbed is open to motor vehicles from mid-August until January 2; however, it is highly recommended that only high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicles attempt to negotiate it, as the trail surface is rocky and rough for the first two miles.) Follow that trail for two miles to Ivestor Gap at the wilderness area’s boundary, then ¼ mile east along that boundary via Graveyard Ridge Trail (#356) to where it makes a sharp switchback to the right; the western trailhead for the Greasy Cove Trail is in the switchback.
From US 276 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, follow the Big East Fork Trail (#357) to its end.
From the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 417, take Bridges Camp Gap Trail (#607) to its end at the junction of Big East Fork (#357) and Greasy Cove trails.
Additional Information
Operated By
US Forest Service
