Cold Mountain - Shining Rock Wilderness, NC
This video shows the shortest trail access to Cold Mountain in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of Pisgah National Forest, NC.
I started off Sunday with a flat tire, so my original plans had to be nixed. I needed a backup that wasn't a long hike, so I figured I would track the quick climb to Cold Mountain. It had been 5-6 years since my last visit, so it was about time for a revisit. Surprisingly the trail wasn't that crowded, I only encountered 5 distinct groups of hikers on the way up and down. The Art Loeb Trail was looking very pretty, especially at higher elevations below Deep Gap and the Cold Mountain Trail afterwards. I had the summit of Cold Mountain (6,030 ft) to myself while I ate a late afternoon lunch. The 180-degree views of the Great Balsam Mountains were great even though the visibility was a little hazy. I've hiked almost every peak you can see in my pictures, which is definitely satisfying. From the summit you can pick out almost every significant peak in the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness Areas, including Black Balsam Knob and Richland Balsam.
Hike was 10.4 miles with 3,435 feet elevation gain in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Hike location
Hike report
Winter Camping 101 - Pisgah National Forest
Shaphan, Tracy, Adam and I head up into Pisgah National Forest for a Winter Camping 101 Shakedown. Tracy and Adam have never camped in the winter. With this in mind, we head into the backcountry to get their winter camping on. We start with a tour through Wilson Creek Gorge area, a stop at Betsey's Ole Country Store and an unforgettable hotdog served by Sarah with an H. Continuing into the backcountry, we find a fantastic spot, dig a well at a spring head, start a fire in the wet forest and camp in the clouds. Tracy's trail name is born...We cap it off with breakfast with Shug at Famous Louise's! Come along and enjoy a great weekend in a majestic place!
Kelty 16 Tarp -
ART LOEB TRAIL - Part 1- Shining Rock Wilderness, NC
Join me and my buddy, Greg Outdoors, as we hike the Art Loeb Trail from the north trailhead at Daniel Boone BSA Campground. Support my channel by shopping at my website. I will earn a small commission from each purchase. The link is
The Art Loeb Trail is a 30.1-mile (48.4 km) trail located in Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina. The northern terminus is at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp in Haywood County, while the trail's southern terminus is located near the Davidson River Campground, near Brevard, in Transylvania County. Along the way, the trail traverses several significant peaks, including Black Balsam Knob (6,214 ft), Tennent Mountain (6040 ft) and Pilot Mountain (5095 ft). The trail also passes the base of Cold Mountain, made famous by the novel and film.
National Geographic Adventure listed the trail as one of the thirty best North American hikes. They praised the views offered on the high Appalachian Balds, the challenging climbs, and the trail's diverse landscape.
Originally part of the Cherokee Nation, the area was heavily logged in the early part of the 20th century.
The Art Loeb Trail was dedicated on November 9, 1969. It was named after an avid hiker and Carolina Mountain Club member, who resided in Brevard. Mr. Loeb often explored and cared for the area.
Extensive logging and locomotive fires in 1925 and 1942 are the cause for the expansive, open views around Black Balsam Knob.
The trail sees many hikers taking advantage of the trail's proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville, in addition to literary enthusiasts exploring Cold Mountain.[5] Hikers around in the northern part of the trail in the Shining Rock Wilderness should be prepared, as the trails are not marked, and there are no signs.
South of Ivestor Gap the trail is outside of the Shining Rock Wilderness, and contains blazes and signs to help with navigation. The trail also shares with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail for a short stretch in the Silvermine Bald area. There are also several side trails that connect to the Art Loeb, including the optional climb up Cold Mountain.
Challenges for the hiker include steep ascents and descents, exposed hiking on high Appalachian Balds, and few water supply points.
To complete the entire trail, most guides recommend either three or four days. There are several backcountry camp spots throughout the trail, with primitive shelters at Deep Gap and Butter Gap.
Starting in 2001, an adventure run of the entire trail is held on the Winter Solstice.
Attractions & Things to Do in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. TOP 13
Attractions & Things to Do in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. TOP 13: Dupont State Forest, Cradle of Forestry, Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest, Looking Glass Rock, Moore Cove Falls, The Bike Farm, Pisgah Visitor Center, Courthouse Falls, Cold Mountain
Mount Pisgah - Pisgah National Forest, NC
After destroying my IT Band on Mt. LeConte, I decided to try a bunch of short hikes the following day until I couldn't bend my leg anymore. I started with Mount Pisgah because the Blue Ridge Parkway was open on this crazy 70F February weekend. This is a very popular hike, short and straightforward from Buck Spring Gap Overlook to the top of the mountain. Mount Pisgah at 5,721 feet is one of the most recognizable peaks in North Carolina with its conical summit and 339-foot TV transmission tower.
Other than the view north which is obscured by the tower, you have panoramic views east, south and west. The wind and clouds were gnarly all day, which made for difficult photo conditions for me since I don't have a dSLR. The French Broad River Valley and the Hickory Nut Mountains are east (and Great Craggy and Black Mountains with clear views). Due south is Pisgah Ridge and Fryingpan Mountain with the lookout tower. To the southwest and west are the central Great Balsam Mountains in Shining Rock Wilderness. The northernmost peak that stands alone is Cold Mountain, while the other peaks including Black Balsam Knob are flatter and meld together.
Hike was 2.9 miles in 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Hike location
Hike reports
ART LOEB TRAIL - Part 2 - Shining Rock Wilderness, NC
Join me and my buddy, Greg Outdoors, for part 2 as we hike the Art Loeb Trail from the north trailhead at Daniel Boone BSA Campground. Support my channel by shopping at my website. I will earn a small commission from each purchase. The link is
The Art Loeb Trail is a 30.1-mile (48.4 km) trail located in Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina. The northern terminus is at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp in Haywood County, while the trail's southern terminus is located near the Davidson River Campground, near Brevard, in Transylvania County. Along the way, the trail traverses several significant peaks, including Black Balsam Knob (6,214 ft), Tennent Mountain (6040 ft) and Pilot Mountain (5095 ft). The trail also passes the base of Cold Mountain, made famous by the novel and film.
National Geographic Adventure listed the trail as one of the thirty best North American hikes. They praised the views offered on the high Appalachian Balds, the challenging climbs, and the trail's diverse landscape.
Originally part of the Cherokee Nation, the area was heavily logged in the early part of the 20th century.
The Art Loeb Trail was dedicated on November 9, 1969. It was named after an avid hiker and Carolina Mountain Club member, who resided in Brevard. Mr. Loeb often explored and cared for the area.
Extensive logging and locomotive fires in 1925 and 1942 are the cause for the expansive, open views around Black Balsam Knob.
The trail sees many hikers taking advantage of the trail's proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville, in addition to literary enthusiasts exploring Cold Mountain.[5] Hikers around in the northern part of the trail in the Shining Rock Wilderness should be prepared, as the trails are not marked, and there are no signs.
South of Ivestor Gap the trail is outside of the Shining Rock Wilderness, and contains blazes and signs to help with navigation. The trail also shares with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail for a short stretch in the Silvermine Bald area. There are also several side trails that connect to the Art Loeb, including the optional climb up Cold Mountain.
Challenges for the hiker include steep ascents and descents, exposed hiking on high Appalachian Balds, and few water supply points.
To complete the entire trail, most guides recommend either three or four days. There are several backcountry camp spots throughout the trail, with primitive shelters at Deep Gap and Butter Gap.
Starting in 2001, an adventure run of the entire trail is held on the Winter Solstice.
Pisgah National Forest Winter Camping
We camped in Pisgah National Forest (located outside of Brevard, North Carolina) in Jan 2018. The average day temps were 25°. Having the proper gear and knowing how to use it was absolutely crucial in surviving the cold. We hiked Avery Creek, Buckhorn Gap, Black Mountain, and Cat Gap Loop. If you have any questions about gear or camping in general, let me know in the comment section!
#Camping #BackPacking #Hiking #Hikers #Survival #ColdWeatherTraining
Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower - Pisgah National Forest, NC
Second short hike of the day just down the parkway from Mount Pisgah. I was tempted by the 6-mile round trip from Mount Pisgah, but decided against it. The shortest hike begins at Fryingpan Gap, where there is no official parking and the crowded pullout beside the road is hazardous for drivers and hikers alike. From the gap simply follow gravel FR 450 southwest until it ends at the summit. Fryingpan Mountain is 5,342 feet and is part of Pisgah Ridge in the eastern Great Balsam Mountains. (In the video I mistakenly refer to the top elevation as 5,220 feet. Sometimes the free maps on my GPS device have the landmark descriptions wrong.) The fire tower was built in 1941 and is 70 feet tall, making it the 2nd tallest accessible lookout tower in North Carolina.
The view north of Mount Pisgah is blocked by the communications tower, but below the summit you have an open view. The top cab is closed, but from the top 2 flights of stairs you have panoramic views. Due west is the Shining Rock Wilderness and notably Cold Mountain. Due south Pisgah Ridge continues to Graveyard Fields. Looking Glass Rock and the other plutons are visible to the left of the parkway. The French Broad River Valley is to the east with the Hickory Nut Mountains beyond, and the Black Mountains north of east. Towards the top the wind was 40-50 mph and I could barely stand, making it extremely difficult to hold my camera steady.
Hike was 1.7 miles in 45 minutes.
Hike location
Hike reports
Top 5 North Carolina Hiking Spots
What a view!
The great state of North Carolina is home to some of the country’s most beautiful hiking trails. Here are five of our favorites.
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Southern Black Mountains peakbagging - Pisgah National Forest, NC
After this hike I'm almost finished bagging every 6,000+ foot peak in the Black Mountains. I started at the Mountains-to-Sea Trail crossing on NC 128 and headed west below the cliffs of Potato Knob passing by multiple viewpoints. The highlight is an area nicknamed the Potato Knob fields, with big views of Pinnacle, Graybeard Mountain, Burnett Reservoir, Great Craggy Mountains, Blackstock Knob, and the cliffs of Potato Knob. At a notch between Patton Knob I left the trail following a boundary path to forested vPotato Knob (6,400+ ft). Next I followed a faint boundary path north through a gnarly section of tall briars and downed trees, then a beautiful patch of southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest. The trail ends in a meadow with an old stone cabin. I don't know if bushwhacking and crawling through the fence around Clingmans Peak (6,520+ ft) was trespassing or just a safety hazard, but I did it anyways. Despite the array of radio towers the peak had great views of the Cane River Valley. I also tagged Mt. Gibbes (6,520+ ft) then walked down to Stepps Gap on a forest road with open views. At Stepps Gap I followed the Old Mitchell Trail into the state park then bushwhacked to the top of Mt. Hallback (6,391 ft) before turning around and walking NC 128 to my car.
Hike was 6.8 miles in 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Hike location
Table Rock Mountain, Linville Caverns, and Little Switzerland in Pisgah National Forest NC.
The summit of Table Rock Mountain in North Carolina is breathtaking!
Exploring the trails is a wonderful experience, and the views along the way and at the top are amazing!
Linville Caverns visit was spontaneous, but we were in the area, so we decided to go in. It's the only show cave in NC, it was just OK to me. Did not see any bats though, the guide explained how hundreds of bats were infected with a disease called White Nose Syndrome.
The town of Little Switzerland is very quaint, it's considered the jewel of the Blue Ridge Parkway. They have villages, restaurants, festivals and a beautiful resort. There are other places you can explore in the area. This was my white jeeps first trip in the mountains! (Spring 2019)
Pisgah Forest Outside Asheville, NC
Main portion of the Ivy River that runs through Weaverville, NC
Black Mountain and Avery Creek loop - Pisgah National Forest, NC
A hike on December 19, 2018 in the Pisgah Ranger District checking off a few waterfalls and trails for two CMC challenges. I began at the FR 477 gate beside U.S. 276 and hiked the road south to follow the Club Gap Trail. The trail switchbacks up towards Club Gap, and as I neared the gap a few inches of snow covered the landscape. From Club Gap I followed the Black Mountain Trail over Rich Mountain. This is where you'll see the first video clip of my new Silky F180 going to work on blowdowns across the trail. It turns out this folding saw came in handy later in the hike.
The Black Mountain Trail descends to Buckhorn Gap where a shelter is located, and then crosses FR 5058 before climbing up Clawhammer Mountain. Between Clawhammer Mountain and Black Mountain is the best view of the hike from southwest-facing cliffs. The lighting was mostly terrible for pictures and video. The plutons of Looking Glass Rock, John Rock, and Cedar Rock Mountain were due southwest, with Pilot Mountain rising behind. The notable peaks of Panthertown Valley were much further southwest. To the west and northwest were various peaks above the Blue Ridge Parkway, including Devils Courthouse and Black Balsam Knob.
After lingering at this viewpoint I bushwhacked to the summit of Black Mountain (4,286 feet), a P1K peak, then descended on the now heavily eroded trail to meet FR 5049. The forest road connects with the Pressley Cove Trail, which drops steeply to FR 477 near the Avery Creek horse stables. Following the road north I began the Avery Creek Trail, and immediately knew I was in for a long slog. I encountered a lot of blowdowns on this trail, and tried to saw through the bigger trees but there were simply too many and daylight was short. I'd estimate I encountered at least 50 unique blowdown sections, so I hope those have been taken care of since this hike. On this trail I got to see Avery Creek Falls and Upper Avery Creek Falls. I preferred the upper falls despite the deadfall at the base, without those logs it would be stunning. The climb out of the Avery Creek valley was steeper than expected, and I finished the Club Gap Trail in the dark. Overall this was a good loop providing a nice mix of water and views in a lesser utilized trail system of the U.S. 276 corridor.
Distance - 14.0 miles
Elevation gain - 3,730 feet
Time - 7 hours and 30 minutes
Hike location
North Carolina Road Trip - Sam Knob Hike
Today we went to the Pisgah National Forest to hike the Sam Knob trail. The blue ridge parkway was socked in by clouds. Also it was a lot colder. At the house it was 75 but in the mountains with the clouds it was only 59.
Asheville, NC: Boondocking Challenges in the Southeast
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As my friend Bob and I travel from our camp outside of Atlanta Georgia through the Smokey Mountains of Northern Georgia and South Carolina toward Asheville, we find free camping in Pisgah National Forest. But we're not sure if it's legal/permitted camping or not. I talk about the risks I sometimes take when finding free camping in National Forests
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Shining Rock Wilderness - Overnight Loop
A two day one night hike in the Shining Rock Wilderness. So much scenery packed into this trip. If you’re looking for water features and big views - and up for a challenge, this is a must do 14 mile loop.
Trails used: Big East Fork to Greasy/Grassy Cove to Art Loeb to Shining Creek.
Graveyard Fields and Ivestor Gap - Pisgah National Forest, NC
A cloudy day of hiking around Graveyard Fields as I did a big hike for waterfalls, peaks, and fall colors. Starting at Black Balsam Knob Rd I took the MST and Graveyard Ridge Trail into Graveyard Fields. This hike was primarily in Pisgah National Forest, but I brushed up against the boundaries of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shining Rock Wilderness. When I reached Graveyard Fields I first hiked up to Upper Falls on Yellowstone Prong. From there I went downstream to Second Falls. Both of these waterfalls are easily accessible from the parkway and usually crowded. Graveyard Fields is a very popular stop, especially for fall colors. The fields are a vast, shallow bowl around the headwaters of Yellowstone Prong that suffered a devastating fire in 1925. The soil has not fully recovered so most of the vegetation are shrubs at the 5,000+ foot elevations.
After Second Falls I continued downstream on the MST towards Yellowstone Falls, which is an off-trail bushwhack to an isolated area. Getting to the river was easy, but the tiny hobbit tunnel down the base was steep, slippery, and very wet. The dense fog covered all the trees and weeds in water, so I was wet all day long. I skipped Skinny Dip Falls because of time.
Afterwards I followed the MST back to the Graveyard Ridge Trail and took it to Ivestor Gap. A gorge I noted in the video as Dark Prong is actually Greasy Cove Prong. The clouds cleared for about 45 minutes when I got near Ivestor Gap so I had a few views, but when I started the Art Loeb Trail south they covered the peaks the rest of the hike. Too bad Tropical Storm Nate was ruining the weather. Tennent Mountain was my 26th peak for the South Beyond 6000 Challenge, I'll have to return for some awesome views in the future.
Hike was 14.1 miles in 7 hours and 40 minutes. This hike actually occurred on 10/7/17 even though my intro states 10/8/17. I already deleted the clips so I can't redo the intro.
Hike location
Morrow Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain - Morrow Mountain State Park, NC
Recently I did a couple of hikes in the Uwharrie Mountains because of winter storm weather that brought snow and fierce, cold winds to the big mountains. For my first hike I went to Morrow Mountain State Park in the southwest corner of this ancient mountain range, a park I've never visited before. The Uwharrie Mountains used to be a coastal range, and these days are nothing more than steep, rocky hills in central North Carolina. The state park has many loop trail options over the peaks that range between 700-900 feet.
My plan was to start at the visitors center, but prescribed burns were still active in that area and the trailhead was closed. Instead I drove back to the park entrance, taking the Long Loop Trail to the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail. This trail follows a nice ridge to the 858' peak with decent views through the trees. It connects to the Morrow Mountain Trail, which climbs steeply to Morrow Mountain. The Mountain Loop Trail encircles the summit with nice views south of Lake Tillery and Stony Mountain. At the summit are a lot of picnic tables below trees that were flowering too early. There is one cleared view northeast of the Uwharrie Mountains above the Pee Dee River. Although Morrow Mountain is only 906 feet, it rises over 500 feet above the river. This definitely a nice state park to visit.
Hike was 7.3 miles in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Hike location
Hike report
Adam's North Carolina Public Land Buck - 2014
Public land buck taken during the North Carolina rifle season in 2014. This hunt takes place during the tail end of the rut.
Cold New Years Eve on Art Leob (Pisgah) and Davidson River Campground | เที่ยวปีใหม่แบบหนาวๆ
Vlog 019: December 31, 2017 - January 1, 2018. We spent our new year eve hiking on Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina and camped at Davidson River Campground.
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