Lost Cove, located along the Nolichucky River in Western North Carolina, took its name from its location near the Tennessee and North Carolina border when surveyors were not sure to which state the community belonged. Lost Cove was reportedly settled shortly before the Civil War by Morgan Bailey. It was a thriving Appalachian logging and farming community for about 100 years. The location and terrain of the community were difficult to navigate, and, when the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway was bought out by CSX the railroad stopped making regular stops. As they were unable to resupply, residents were forced to leave the community. The last resident left the community in 1957.
Christy A. Smith has a copy of her thesis available online about the settlement for detailed research and further information. http://etd-submit.etsu.edu/etd/theses/available/etd-1112107-162048/unrestricted/SmithC121407f.pdf
Photographs now up in album @ www.myspace.com/buddha_child... don't mind the personality.
If you don't want to go alone, we can offer help along the way.
Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel can provide shuttles to the trail head and accommodations are available on your return.
I know of two ways to get to Lost Cove. From River Road take the railroad tracks to the right after about 4-5 miles, turn up unmarked trail to the right that is rocky and looks like a dried up creek bed, this trail, if followed correctly will take you directly to Lost Cove after 1.5 - 2 miles of hiking up, up, up. Otherwise, From Uncle Johnny's Hostel And Outfitters in Erwin, Tn. take a right turn and go .8 of a mile and turn left onto Temple Hill Road. Go 3.5 miles and turn left onto 19W Then go 11.5 miles and turn left onto White Oaks Flats Road (NC1415). Now go, 1.1 mile at which time the road forks three ways. Stay on the far left onto Flat Top Road "Forest Service Rd NC.278". Continue 2.1 miles up gravel road, just past gate on the right. Turn right into parking area. Parking Area GPS location is: N 36 03.243' / W 082 23. 177' Trail goes straight up to Flattop Mountain. Take left at top, it is all downhill until stone wall appears. I plan on reblazing the trail as I got lost twice.
*Take a detailed map of the terrain, a basic map of the area, a compass and a GPS if you have one.
Feel free to email me at elizabethalbrecht@yahoo.com
