Trail Overview
This through route follows a narrow, lightly traveled forest road through dense pine and hardwood woodland. The surface is primarily native dirt with scattered small rocks, patches of grass, and long sections covered by fallen leaves and pine needles. Vegetation has begun reclaiming portions of the roadway, with young pines, shrubs, vines, and other brush growing close to the tire tracks. The route is generally only one vehicle wide, and opportunities to pull aside for opposing traffic are limited. Several sections pass beneath a dense tree canopy, while occasional openings allow more sunlight and thicker grasses to grow along the roadway. Wildlife may frequently use or cross this quiet corridor, and fallen trees or branches are possible due to the dense surrounding forest.
Difficulty
Typical whoops, dips, and ruts from natural water erosion create minor uneven terrain. Heavy overgrowth may cause pinstriping or scratches to vehicle paint, and large spider webs frequently stretch across the route.
History
The Mount Magazine area has a long history of transportation, forestry and recreation. During the Great Depression, federal programs including the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration developed roads and recreation infrastructure around the mountain. Cove Lake was constructed as part of the Mount Magazine land-use project and was completed in 1938, while CCC crews based at nearby Blue Mountain performed forestry work and improved roads throughout the area. Many of today's routes travel through the same national forest landscape that was extensively managed and developed during this period.
