Mullins Cove Loop _ EveryTrail

8/12/2019 Mullins Cove Loop _ EveryTrail

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6/1/2014 Mullins Cove Loop | EveryTrail

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Other guides in Salomon Rock/Creek Trail Series

Southern 6 Trail Race

Rock/Creek River Gorge 6.5 Mile a Trail Race

Scenic City MarathonScenic City Half Marathon

Rock/Creek Upchuck 50k

Still Hollow 10K / Half Marathon

Stump Jump Sections 1 and 3

Lookout Mountain 50 Mile

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http://www.everytrail.com/guide/mullins-cove-loop 2

Rock/Creek River Gorge 6.5 Mile a Trail Race

Stump Jump Sections 1 and 3

Pot Point Loop

Scenic City Marathon

Scenic City Half Marathon

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Mullins Cove Loop

A great training run or day hike in Prentice Cooper WMA.

Difficulty: Difficult

Length: 9.8 miles / 15.8 km

Duration: Half day

Family Friendly Dog Friendly

Download to Phone

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Overview:Coming in at just under 10 miles Mullen's Cove Loop is the bulk of

the Rock/Creek River Gorge 10.2 mile trail race which occurs on the last

Saturday in March. This incredibly diverse trail lies within the 24,686 acre

Prentice Cooper Wilderness Management Area. This entire loop is part of the

Cumberland Trail. A significant length of this trail hangs airily along the edge of

a 1000 feet of vertical drop down to the Tennessee River. Many spots along

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the trail offer peaks into the depth of the river gorge which has carved its way

through 26 miles of the Cumberland Plateau. The most spectacular view into

the gorge comes just before the trail turns westward into the Mullens Creek

drainage at Snoopers Rock.

The trail is generally gradual in its relief but not without a few steep

switchbacks to sizzle your calves and quads. Creeks gurgle and bubble along

before plunging steeply over the breach into the rocks below on their way tothe Tennessee River. Lichen and moss encrusted outcrops of rock emerge from

the soil creating a stunning collage of texture and color that changes as the

canopy morphs with the seasonal shifts.

The mesophytic forest of the Cumberland Plateau is home to a great diversity of

trees. Some of the more dominant tree species include: American Beech,

Yellow poplar, Hickory, Eastern Hemlock, Loblolly Pine, and many varieties of

Oak.

Enjoy the views as you buzz down the trail!

Tips:Check the Prentice Cooper website for hunting dates, the area is closed

seasonally especially on weekends. Be sure to bring adequate water supply,

especially on hot summer days. The weather is as diverse as the forest so dress

appropriately with wicking layers. There are several creek crossings and the

final mile is along a creek. So there can be water available.

Points of Interest

Getting to Prentice CooperThe vast majority of people will be coming from Chattanooga. On Signal

Mountain Blvd take a left on Suck Creek Road across R/R tracks. Drive 8

miles along river and up mountain. Near the top of climb take a left on

Choctaw, bear left at Y around S curve and take next left.

map
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Entering the WMAThe road turns to gravel. Once inside WMA it's less than 3 miles to the

parking area.

ParkingMullen's Cove Loop Trailhead is on the right.

TrailheadAcross from the parking lot is the trail to Rockhouse. The trail inside the lot

leads you to the creek and Rock Garden.

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Indian Rock House .56 mOne of the most unique geologic features in the area is this stone door leading

to the Indian Rock House. This cliff overhang serves as one of three aid

stations during the River Gorge trail race.

Turn right towards Snooper's

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Old road ends.Pick up single track on the right.

Creek Crossing 2: 1.43 m

View of TN River gorgeViews similar to this are enjoyed all along the trail from Indian Rock House to

Snoopers Rock.

Snooper's Rock 3.19 mThis point of rock offers amazing views of the Tennessee River Gorge. The

trail continues to the left of the parking area at Snooper's. You will soon cross

Tower Road near the grassy area and signboard at Snooper's and Tower

Roads.

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Pot Point Loop Intersection 3.25mHead west here toward Hemlock Branch Campsite. The parking area near thisintersection serves as the location for the second of three aid stations during

the Rock/Creek River Gorge trail races. This is also the spot where the two

races split. The 10.2 mile race continues on the Mullins Cove loop, while the

6.5 mile race turns to the right onto the ATV trail.

Tower Road Crossing 3.53m

Pot Point Intersection 4.10mContinue straight on Mullens Cove Loop.

Hemlock Branch Campsite and Rough

Stream Crossing 4.38 mThis is a fantastic, very secluded camp site. Just next to this site, the trail

follows an old road bed for less than 100 feet. Pay attention to the double

white blazes that signal the turn off the old road and back onto single track

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trail.

Mullins Cover Overlook 4.50 mA short spur off the main trail will reward you with a fantastic view of Mullins

Cove and down into the Tennessee River Gorge.

Stream Crossing

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Steep Switchbacks 6.06 m

Lower End of Hailey Rd. 6.7mYou'll see a sign for Haley Road, cross a creek and then hit an ATV road.Turn right and uphill. Watch for TRAIL sign on left. Travel on road for .13 m.

Pay attention for the double white blaze indicating a turn.

Upper End of Hailey Rd. 6.83mPay attention for the double white blaze indicating a turn. This spot serves as

the third and final aid station during the Rock/Creek River Gorge trail race.

Overlook to Haley RoadAfter passing Mullen's Overlook there's a long stretch of single track as you

enter Mullen's Cove. You may hear the creek below on the valley. There are a

few minor creek crossings, but mostly just undulating single track.

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Beginning of Descent Into Rock Garden 8.26

m

Trail transitions into rocky terrain.

Rock GardenThe photos here do a good job of describing the difficulty of this section. Slowdown and take caution here. A rescue from this location would be most

difficult.

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Short CreekAfter the Rock Garden you parallel Short Creek for a bit and then climb away

to the right.

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Last SectionYou cross an ATV road and then hit a very runnable section to the finish.

Slightly uphill you will have to work, but you know you are almost done.

Finish 9.76 m

Pictures in this guide taken by: WildTrails

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Hi: 77 F

Lo: 63 F

Hi: 25 C

Lo: 17 C

Monday

June 2

Chance of a Thunderstorm

Hi: 75 F

Lo: 64 F

Hi: 24 C

Lo: 18 C

Tuesday

June 3

Chance of a Thunderstorm

Hi: 79 F

Lo: 68 F

Hi: 26 C

Lo: 20 C

Powered by

Weather Underground

C| F

Extended Forecast

Other Resources

Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race

Wild Trails

Prentice Cooper WIldlife Management Area

How To Get There

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