Trail Overview
This large loop route travels through the forest on a mixture of maintained gravel, packed dirt, and narrower two-track. The surroundings consist primarily of pine and hardwood forest, with younger pines, grasses, brush, and dense understory growing along the road. Several sections become tightly enclosed by vegetation and low-hanging branches, creating substantial potential for pinstriping and scratches to vehicle paint. Large spider webs are also common across the less-traveled portions of the route, and you may find yourself driving directly through them. The route transitions through naturally eroded sections where exposed rock and bedrock protrude from the dirt. Water runoff has carved portions of the road, creating uneven and off-camber sections that will have the suspension articulating as you travel through them. Fallen or partially fallen trees may also reduce overhead clearance. The route is generally one vehicle wide with limited opportunities for opposing vehicles to pass.
Difficulty
Rocky sections include exposed bedrock and rocks up to 12 inches tall, along with erosion that creates uneven and off-camber terrain. Tight vegetation and low-hanging branches create significant potential for pinstriping and scratches to vehicle paint.
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.
