snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Sept 17, 2017 15:42:30 GMT -8
Hi all,
We have been planning to hike the Linville Gorge Wilderness loop this week for a while. However, that route has a few river crossings that reportedly can be dicey after rainfall. The forecast has taken a turn and it looks like rain is going to be a given during our trip. Does anyone have alternate suggestions for a 20-25 mile loop hike (2 nights) in the area that is dog friendly? If they aren't dog friendly it's not a deal breaker, just a preference.
Our other option is to do 2 separate overnight hikes that are either loops or out and back.
Preferences are to see some great views, hopefully have campsites that will be sunset friendly, and have at least one water source per day (though that is negotiable as we tend to carry plenty).
ETA, I think we have settled on Black Balsam to Cold Mountain, so any advice on that trip would be greatly appreciated (water sources, navigation issues, etc.)
Thanks in advance!
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Post by Jerry E on Sept 17, 2017 17:44:28 GMT -8
I love that area, and it is a great choice. I would just add that there are several other good options for trailheads leading to the same area, and these are a lot less busy.
One option I really like:
* Starting at the Big East Fork trailhead on 276, take the Shining Creek Path up to Shining Rock Gap.
* Set up camp at Shining Rock Gap, and then day hike over to Cold Mountain and back, across the Narrows.
* Break camp and backpack down Greasy Cove Trail, Big East Fork, and back to your car.
This is a tough 2 days or a leisurely 3, with awesome high elevation views, as well as beautiful river views.
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Sept 18, 2017 6:23:54 GMT -8
Thanks! We are setting out on a Wednesday so hopefully that will avoid much of the crowds, but I will definitely look into the other trail heads. Appreciate it very much!
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Post by ashepabst on Sept 18, 2017 10:32:39 GMT -8
did you see about the bear can restrictions? I think it's only within the Shining Rock wilderness area, but something to consider.
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Sept 18, 2017 17:42:55 GMT -8
did you see about the bear can restrictions? I think it's only within the Shining Rock wilderness area, but something to consider. Yes, we have a bear canister and packed it! Thank you! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2017 6:52:55 GMT -8
I will second the recommendation about Shining Rock. The hike across the Narrows is very nice and the views from Cold Mountain are awesome.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 20, 2017 9:23:08 GMT -8
I've backpacked a couple times in Shining Rock, including the hike from Shining Rock to Cold Mountain. I concur that's a worthwhile hike, but IMO better views are to be had by proceeding south on the Art Loeb Trail over Black Balsam. You can then loop back to the TH on 276 with some nice water features including an optional side trip to waterfalls in the Graveyard Fields area.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Sept 21, 2017 4:34:12 GMT -8
I agree with driftwoody about the better views being in the black balsam knob & graveyard fields area.
A really nice loop is to park at bridges camp gap, go up yellowstone prong, see black balsam knob, then out to flower gap, and backtrack slightly to go down grassy cove and out.
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Post by Jerry E on Sept 24, 2017 18:56:21 GMT -8
better views are to be had by proceeding south on the Art Loeb Trail over Black Balsam. You can then loop back to the TH on 276 with some nice water features including an optional side trip to waterfalls in the Graveyard Fields area. brings up a good variant on the loop I suggested. Basically it would go: * Day 1 - Starting at the Big East Fork trailhead on 276, take the Shining Creek Path up to Shining Rock Gap. * Day 2 - Break camp and take Art Loeb -> MST -> Bridges Camp Gap -> Big East Fork Trail and back to your car. I have done all those trails, but not that loop on one hike. It would be a good one! |
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Sept 29, 2017 12:51:16 GMT -8
Thanks all! We had already headed off on our trip when the latest suggestions were posted, but we will definitely put them on the list for the next time. We went Black Balsam to Cold Mountain and back and it was a great trip. Perfect weather and didn't run into any bears! It was our first backpacking trip in Pisgah, and we will definitely be returning.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 29, 2017 13:52:36 GMT -8
We went Black Balsam to Cold Mountain and back and it was a great trip. Lots of great views for very little elevation gain (assuming you started at the Blue Ridge Parkway). Glad to hear you had a fine time! |
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Sept 29, 2017 15:13:43 GMT -8
We started at the road off the Parkway, but not the parking lot. There was some elevation gain, especially in the last 1.5 miles up Cold Mountain, but nothing insane. We didn't see another soul up there, so that was amazing.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 29, 2017 18:28:41 GMT -8
When I hiked up to Cold Mountain in 2002 my buddy and I passed two older gentlemen on the way up that 1.5 mile stretch. When they reached the top we spent some time together and learned they were 70 years old and that Cold Mountain was the final summit in their quest to ascend all 6000' peaks in the eastern US. Two years earlier they completed a thru hike of the AT.
My buddy and I were inspired, and vowed to return to Cold Mountain when we are their age. I'm looking forward to autumn 2027.
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Sept 30, 2017 15:30:41 GMT -8
When I hiked up to Cold Mountain in 2002 my buddy and I passed two older gentlemen on the way up that 1.5 mile stretch. When they reached the top we spent some time together and learned they were 70 years old and that Cold Mountain was the final summit in their quest to ascend all 6000' peaks in the eastern US. Two years earlier they completed a thru hike of the AT. My buddy and I were inspired, and vowed to return to Cold Mountain when we are their age. I'm looking forward to autumn 2027. That's awesome! We definitely meet some awesome people out on the trail! |
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