| ToxawayTony.com |
| Courthouse Falls and the Summy Cove Trail |
| This waterfall is very near the headwaters of the North Fork of the French Broad River |
| Difficulty (1-5): Distance (loop): Distance (shuttle): Elevation change: Trail time (shutle): Driving time: |
4
7 mi approx
3 mi approx
-
1.5 hours
45 min each way
7 mi approx
3 mi approx
-
1.5 hours
45 min each way
After parking by the side of the road (see directions below) cross the road to the
trailhead by a "Summy Cove Trail" marker. The trail bears off to the right and begins to
ascend. It's fairly steep at this point but once you're over the ridge it's easy the rest of
the way. Follow the blue blazes up over Big Fork Ridge; when it intersects another trail
turn right, continuing to follow the blue blazes.
After about half hour you'll hear the water on the right. Continue along the narrow trail.
Eventually you'll see a log in the trail that points to the right (see photo below) and this
points to the side trail that takes you to Courthouse Falls. Follow this trail down and
you"ll come to the base of the falls and a swimming hole.
Back at trail, continue along in the same direction as before and in about five minutes
you'll reach the car left according to the directions below. If you didn't leave a car, turn
right on the gravel road and follow it for about 3 miles to SR 215, the turn right and
continue for another mile to your car.
trailhead by a "Summy Cove Trail" marker. The trail bears off to the right and begins to
ascend. It's fairly steep at this point but once you're over the ridge it's easy the rest of
the way. Follow the blue blazes up over Big Fork Ridge; when it intersects another trail
turn right, continuing to follow the blue blazes.
After about half hour you'll hear the water on the right. Continue along the narrow trail.
Eventually you'll see a log in the trail that points to the right (see photo below) and this
points to the side trail that takes you to Courthouse Falls. Follow this trail down and
you"ll come to the base of the falls and a swimming hole.
Back at trail, continue along in the same direction as before and in about five minutes
you'll reach the car left according to the directions below. If you didn't leave a car, turn
right on the gravel road and follow it for about 3 miles to SR 215, the turn right and
continue for another mile to your car.
| Copyright 2010 by Tony Austin |
Directions to trailhead: From the main entrance to Lake Toxaway Estates on Hwy 64, go
east 8 miles to SR 215. Headwaters Outfitters is on the left. Turn left and go 10.2 miles to a
road on the right. Turn right and go 3 miles to a parking area. A trail marker for Summy Cove
will be on the left. Leave one car here and return to SR 215. Turn right and go 1 mile. Just
beyond a bridge, pull off and park on the side of the road. A trail marker for Summy Cove Trail
will be on the right. Begin the hike here.
Alternately, you can to straight to the parking area beyond the bridge and walk back to your
car. This will add about 4 miles to the hike.
east 8 miles to SR 215. Headwaters Outfitters is on the left. Turn left and go 10.2 miles to a
road on the right. Turn right and go 3 miles to a parking area. A trail marker for Summy Cove
will be on the left. Leave one car here and return to SR 215. Turn right and go 1 mile. Just
beyond a bridge, pull off and park on the side of the road. A trail marker for Summy Cove Trail
will be on the right. Begin the hike here.
Alternately, you can to straight to the parking area beyond the bridge and walk back to your
car. This will add about 4 miles to the hike.