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Post by ropeandsummit on Apr 14, 2016 9:54:16 GMT -8
Hello, all! First post here (really grateful for stumbling across this today!)
I'm looking to take a trip to Asheville with my girlfriend next month, and want to find a 15-20 mile loop that we can tackle before leaving! She's tackled multiple 10+ mile day hikes with me in Tennessee (Savage Gulf), and by stretching it to two days I think we can handle a moderate/strenuous hike. Most of all... we just want the breath-taking views.
Does anybody have any recommendations? I saw where someone recommended Shining Rock Wilderness, but before committing to that I wanted to see if there were any other strong recommendations.
ANY help will be greatly appreciated!
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bp2go
Trail Wise!
California
Posts: 1,329
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Post by bp2go on Apr 14, 2016 10:16:03 GMT -8
stumbling across this today Welcome, rope. May I ask how you did stumble onto this forum? A Google search? What search words? I'm trying to improve how people can find us. I expect you will get some help here, so I'll step back. I'm on the wrong coast to offer advice!
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Post by ashepabst on Apr 14, 2016 11:20:25 GMT -8
yeah, Shining Rock is good in that regard with a big section of bald mountains. I'm not the expert on that area but I'm pretty sure they recently mandated Bear Canisters for backpackers. Check with the Pisgah Ranger District to be sure, but it's something to consider if you don't want to purchase one just for this trip, or if your packs will even fit a canister. Shining Rock is also pretty easy drive from Asheville, if that's where you're coming from.
The Roan Highlands section of the AT is another good one for lots of big views, but you'd have to out-and-back or get a shuttle. Linville Gorge and Grandfather Mountain....
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FamilySherpa
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Tangled up in Rhododendron
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Post by FamilySherpa on Apr 14, 2016 11:35:23 GMT -8
If views are the important thing, with being close to Asheville a close 2nd, you're best heading west toward shining rock or north east toward mt mitchell.
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Post by ropeandsummit on Apr 14, 2016 12:06:05 GMT -8
bp2go Thanks for the welcome! I was actually just searching Google... with phrases like "backpacking trails near Asheville", "2 day hike in Asheville", etc. It was sort of a lengthy road to bring me here, but only because I was "lurking" on the forums vs. actually joining and posting. ashepabst I'm open to shuttling, but a loop is more ideal! Probably looking into doing some near Shining Rock, as FamilySherpa suggested. FamilySherpa Any maps handy for picking out some loops for us to tackle? Ha, you're actually the poster that I saw before making this thread suggesting Shining Rock... do you have any favorite loops? I'm completely uneducated on Shining Rock, being from Nashville, so I'll have to do some research and make sure we're ready! Is Shining Rock dispersed camping? How long should it take to get a couple of permits?
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FamilySherpa
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Tangled up in Rhododendron
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Post by FamilySherpa on Apr 14, 2016 12:21:47 GMT -8
big east fork trailhead. big east fork trail -> grassy hollow trail -> art loeb -> cold mtn out&back -> down shining creek trail to original trailhead
This will give you all sorts of views. Flower Gap, Shining Rock, & Cold Mtn amongst others. I don't have mileage right in front of me but am guessing around 20.
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FamilySherpa
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Tangled up in Rhododendron
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Post by FamilySherpa on Apr 14, 2016 12:30:10 GMT -8
no permits required, standard Appalachian wilderness camping spots along trails. I'm not positive about the bear canister requirement that ashepabst mentioned. I know they considered it around the graveyard fields last year, but i was in the area and never saw any notice of the requirement.
It does get busy on the weekends, and the trail intersections around the Art Loeb can get very confusing, so once you figure out a plan, we can help more with maps, specifics on where you should camp, and the trailhead itself.
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FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
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Post by FamilySherpa on Apr 14, 2016 12:33:31 GMT -8
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Post by kevinumberger on Apr 14, 2016 18:56:07 GMT -8
yeah.....they mandated bear canisters in shining rock a few years ago.....
they, due to the amount of people in that area, have been having some bear problems so it needed to be done....
and yeah, they will give you a ticket......
heard they were out a bunch last year making sure people had canisters....
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Post by ropeandsummit on Apr 18, 2016 5:13:37 GMT -8
FamilySherpa Thanks for getting that together for me! I'd love to look into this loop a bit more. The map you posted... I can't tell where this loop would be. I've been digging for a bit online looking for a map I could print out and follow, but have come up short. I want to see the mileage breakdown and see if we could tackle it in 2 days, 1 night. If so, I need to get going on mapping out our camp spots and everything we'll need! (bear cannister, definitely)
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Post by ropeandsummit on Apr 18, 2016 7:27:05 GMT -8
Also, I have to be honest that I'd be a little scared of getting lost. The most "out there" hikes I've done have been about 40 miles in The Bitterroots, but I was with two experienced hikers who knew the area. I've been reading that it can be really easy to get lost out at Shining Rock. Because this will be my first time leading a hike with no blazers, I'm a little antsy!
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Post by kevinumberger on Apr 18, 2016 7:45:00 GMT -8
yeah.....shining rock has a bunch of weird intersections......and they arent marked (wilderness area)...
but if you use the map UL posted----and combine it with the map from the Tim Homan book, you should be alright......
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Post by ropeandsummit on Apr 18, 2016 7:57:29 GMT -8
kevinumberger Should I buy the Tim Homan book, or is there somewhere I can get that online? I'd also need a clearer version of UL's map! I can't find his trail loop on there. Thanks so much for the help... I'm determined to do this!
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Post by ropeandsummit on Apr 18, 2016 9:25:23 GMT -8
(I'm on a posting spree... my bad, guys... haha)
I think I've figured out UL's suggested loop (highlighted in blue on my next post). After looking into it I'm not sure we could make the long trek to Cold Mountain... now we will only be able to camp for one night, with two days of hiking. This loop would definitely be over 20, I think.
What do you think about taking Big East Fork to Greasy Cove, then merge on to Art Loeb and go to Shining Rock Gap, then take Old Butt trail back to the trailhead?
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Post by ropeandsummit on Apr 18, 2016 9:25:58 GMT -8
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