Lost Trail

Description

This ravine forest trail passes among the hemlocks through thickets of rhododendron, and showcases several lovely large-leaved magnolia trees. At the lowest point of the trail, hikers encounter massive sandstone outcroppings that form an overhanging mass called Turtlehead Rock. Pressing on, a large surface area of exposed rock called a “bald” is encountered in the upper reaches of the trail after a brief climb. Balds are regarded as unique habitat occurrences of mountain terrain. Many interesting and unusual plants and animals are adapted to live in just such a place. Chief among them are lichens and lizards. In traversing this area, hikers move directly up the backslope of Pine Mountain and, while not visible, this tilted rock strata points directly at the mountain’s crest. The trail soon merges with Living Stairway Trail that conducts hikers back to the main park road only a few hundred feet above from the official trailhead. Elevation change of 300 feet and marked with white blazes.