The trails of the Grassy Cove Segment of the Cumberland Trail traverse Brady and Black Mountains, remnants of the Crab Orchard Mountains. They offer the hiker unspoiled views of Grassy Cove, a karst limestone sink, and the surrounding mountains. The hiker is rewarded with a stroll through upland dry ridge forests covered in chestnut oak, sassafras, maple, sourwood, and black gum. Remnants of the redwoods of Tennessee, chestnut sprouts, grow along the trail as well.

The total length of this segment is 11.3 miles, rated moderate. While this segment of the CT can be hiked as a long day hike, most hikers challenge each mountain as separate day hikes and the descriptions are written with this in mind. Trail maps are available from the Cumberland Trail Conference, Route 1, Box 219A, Pikeville, TN 37367, or email us at cumberlandtrail@rocketmail.com.

Brady Mountain Trail: This portion of the Grassy Cove Segment covers 7 miles along the ridges of Brady Mountain. From the Jewitt Road trailhead, ascend 0.5 miles up to the gap and a road between Brady's Dorton Knob to the west and Bear Den Mountain to the east. Cross the road and join the trail moving off through the woods to the left to soon rejoin a logging road which then rises to the ridge top of Brady Mountain. Turning north, the trail follows the ridge, alternating between wide sweeping forests to narrow spiny ridges. Soon you will see a spur trail, yellow blazes, moving off to the right 100 yards to an overlook offering spectacular views of the south end of Grassy Cove, Bear Den to the east, and Dorton Knob, at 2,980 feet, the tallest point of Brady, to the south. You are 1.6 miles from the trailhead. Rejoin the trail and continue to ascend along the crest over the second highest point on Brady at 2,920 Feet. An additional 1.8 miles brings you to an additional spur trail with views of the Grassy Cove below, Black Mountain to the north, and the Smoky Mountains to the east. This side trail is often difficult to locate and is approximately 100 yards past a road junction on the right -- look for the yellow blazes and small stacks of stones marking the entrance. Rejoining the main trail, over the next 1.8 miles you will pass interesting stacked rock formations before reaching a large overhanging rock shelter offering dry shelter for the hiker. Soon the trail begins a steep descent off the north end of Brady and in 1 mile rejoins a roadbed at Lowe's Gap. Follow the road 1 mile to the Hwy. 68 trailhead.

If you wish to continue and hike the entire Grassy Cove Segment, you can reach the Black Mountain Trailhead by following the powerlines along Hwy. 68 west 0.4 miles to a right on Cox Valley Road and 0.4 miles to the trailhead on the right.

To reach the Brady Mountain trailhead, take Hwy. 68 4.6 miles from the Hwy. 68/127 junction just east out of Crossville, TN. The trailhead is on the right, parking is plentiful, where the trail comes out on an old roadbed. Shuttle to the south trailhead by continuing on Hwy. 68 east through Grassy Cove 8.4 miles to a right on Jewitt Road. Take Jewitt Road 6.6 miles to the south trailhead on the right with parking for several cars. (Note: The last couple miles of Jewitt Road are not in good condition and we recommend shuttling with vehicles with high ground clearance.)

Black Mountain Trail: This portion of the Grassy Cove Segment is a Registered State Natural Area that invites exploration. Its extensive rock formations and intensive vistas to the east have led to extensive overuse. Please tread carefully and help preserve Black Mountain.

A designated campsite lies 75 yards to the WSW of the trailhead. From the trailhead, the trail gently follows the top of the mountain 0.3 miles to a gateway down through the bluffs. In the winter months, watch for ice here. Upon descending, the hiker finds oneself among rising narrow bluffs with numerous passageways. While there are a number of old campsites here, these are not designated campsites and campfires are not allowed on the Cumberland Trail. Exit the bluffs and continue 0.3 miles over recovered fields and down the face of Black Mountain. On descending look hard for a double blaze showing a right-hand turn onto a switchback down the west slope of Black Mountain. The trail rejoins an old roadbed and eventually turns downhill into a gap and a road crossing. You are now 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Cross the road and ascend immediately to a ridge with views back toward Black to the east. Follow the crest of the ridge covered with chestnut oaks and sassafras 0.5 miles to the junction of 5 roads. An interesting side trip can be taken at this point by following the easternmost road 15 minutes to Windless Cave. Returning to the trail, follow the southernmost road several hundred yards to a right turn (look hard for the blazes) down on an old roadbed leading to Clear Branch. The trail follows Clear Branch 0.4 miles to rejoin the road and continues 1.1 miles to the Cox Valley Road trailhead.

To reach the Black Mountain trailhead, travel 4.2 miles on Hwy. 68 from the Hwy. 68/127 intersection east of Crossville, TN, to a left on Cox Valley Road. Take Cox Valley Road 0.4 miles to the trailhead on the right. Parking for 2-3 cars is available on a gravel pulloff 100-200 yards back toward Hwy. 68. From here shuttle to the top of Brady by continuing 3 miles on Cox Valley Road to a right on Haley Cove Road. There is a playground on your immediate left. Take Haley Cove Road 1 mile to a right on Battown Road and travel 0.9 miles up to a four-way intersection. Take the immediate left and proceed 3 miles up Black Mountain Road to a left on a gravel side road. Look for the CT diamond sign. Parking is ample and the trailhead is located 50 yards south next to the covered spring house.

Rob Weber
9/97

We Thank You For Your Efforts:
The Brady and Black Mountain Trails have been adopted by and are maintained by the Plateau Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association.

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