Jul 04, 2018 — Mount Pleasant and Cole Mountain are a pair of very pretty peaks in Virginia, both accessed from the same trailhead. I decided to do them both in the same day, creating a figure-8 loop. I started up Mount Pleasant first and did this hike clockwise. This follows the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail through the forest and to a junction where a spur trail continues to the summit of Mount Pleasant. The high point is the west summit, but you get wider, unobstructed views of the mountains and a peek at the meadow-filled summit of Cole Mountain from the eastern view point. I backtracked to the Summit Trail junction and continued along the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail back to the trailhead. It's well-marked and easy to follow, plus quite popular.
Back at the trailhead, I started up Cole Mountain (sometimes called Cold Mountain), choosing to do this hike clockwise as well. I took the Hotel Trail, which wraps around the south side of Cole Mountain. It's mostly a trail through the forest, but has some little meadows and views. The Hotel Trail leads up to Cowcamp Gap, where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail. To get to Cole Mountain, head to the right (east) and ascend on switchbacks to the pretty meadow-filled bald summit. The Appalachian Trail continues east through Cole Mountain's meadows and down to a parking area a short hike to the west of the starting trailhead. I followed the road back to the trailhead.
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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!
