Update (August 7, 2015):
Cold Mountain trail head has re-opened.
U.S. Forest Service
National Forests in North Carolina
NEWS RELEASE
Panthertown Cold Mountain Trail Head Will be Closed August 3rd – 14th, 2015
PANTHERTOWN, N.C.,
July 31, 2015 – Nantahala District Ranger, Mike Wilkins, advises everyone that Forest Service road 4673 which accesses the Panthertown hiking trail system from the east side in the Cold Mountain area will be closed beginning Monday morning August 3, 2015 on week days until August 14, 2015 to construct a 9 – 12 car parking area. The project is a cooperative effort between the Friends of Panthertown and the US Forest Service made possible by a grant provided by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation.
For more information contact Assistant Ranger, Bryan Killian at 828-524-6441.
Access to Panthertown’s popular Cold Mountain Gap trail head (located at end of Cold Mountain Road in Lake Toxaway, NC) will be closed on week days beginning Monday, August 3, 2015 through August 14.
Expect heavy equipment, large hauling trucks, and temporary parking restrictions at the Cold Mountain entrance until the trail head improvements are completed.
Please instead use the west entrance at Salt Rock Gap located at the end of Breedlove Road in Cashiers or the much smaller north entrance at Rattlesnake Knob Trail located on Rock Bridge Road (SR 1140) off NC 281 in Toxaway.
Directions to Salt Rock Gap (west entrance):
Approximately 1.5 miles east of Cashiers on US 64, turn north (left coming from Cashiers, right coming from Sapphire/Lake Toxaway) on Cedar Creek Road (SR 1120). Continue on Cedar Creek Road for 2.2 miles and bear right (northeast) on Breedlove Road (SR 1121). There is a Forest Service sign here that indicates Panthertown Access. Drive 3.3 miles to the end of Breedlove Road until the pavement ends and turns to gravel. Continue ¼ mile on the Forest Service gravel road that leads to the Salt Rock Gap trail-head parking area.
Directions to Rattlesnake Knob Trail (north entrance):
From the NC 281/US 64 junction at Lake Toxaway, take 281 north for 9.1 miles to Rock Bridge Road (SR 1140), on left. Take Rock Bridge Road for 0.8 miles to small parking area and the start of Rattlesnake Knob Trail, on left. (From Tuckaseegee, on NC 107, take NC 281 south for 15.9 miles to Rock Bridge Road, on right.)
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Friends of Panthertown is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Our mission is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve this outstanding natural resource while improving the quality and experience of recreational opportunities in Panthertown Valley.
Send E-mail or call for more info: (828) 269-HIKE (4453)