Pisgah National Forest

“Hey TTers just wanted to know some info about Pisgah NF. With the exception of the John Rock hike from the trail database, info available seems to be only brief reviews with few trail names mentioned. I really enjoyed my visits to the Nantahala and heard the Pisgah was even better. Planning for a spring trip, 3-4 nights. Any info would sure be greatly appreciated.”

“If you enter the area from Brevard, NC, on Rte. 276, within the first few miles there is an office on the right. They can supply you with area and trail maps and information.”

“A nice three day Pisgah hike is the Art Loeb Trail. Maps are available at the ranger station located a mile past the entrance to Pisgah national Forest on 276. From the ranger station I would drive up 276 to where it intersects with the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy the drive with the Davidson River on the left. It's my home waters and where I do most of my flyfishing. You'll climb about 2500 feet on the way up to the Parkway. When you get there turn left to go towards Cherokee, NC. Immediately on your right is a turnout from you can see Cold Mountain. It's the real Cold Mountain that the book of the same title is based on. Cold Mountain (elev. 6020 ft.) is also the northern terminus of the Art Loeb Trail.

At this point you will be at approximately milepost 412 on the Parkway. Drive on the Parkway approximately eight, past the Graveyard Fields overlook. This is a great place to stop and look around by the way.

At milepost 420 there is a paved road turning right. Take that road approximately 0.5 miles. You'll come to a place where there will be some cars parked beside the road. This is where the Art Loeb Trail crosses. Now you have two choices. Go left on the trail for 20 miles back down towards the ranger station. This is easier because you lose all the elevation. Or go right on the trail and hike towards Black Balsam Knob 6200 ft. and then on ten miles to Cold Mountain. If you go right you'll see the Shining Rocks and can make a loop hike back to your car. Going left requires two cars unless you don't mind hitchhiking.”

“For my very first backpacking trip (in 1972) I took the right turn on the ALT and went to Cold Mountain.
My second trip was in November of that same year and I took the left turn. I did this solo and never saw a soul during the whole three days. Great hike!”

“Well, HPM's almost done with his weeklong Pisgah trip. I don't know their route, only that they are in the Ranger district and they're going up Pilot Mtn. tomorrow. He thinks monday night/ tuesday morning was in the single digits where they were. As I was talking to him I could hear a bunch of yelling in the background. They were taking a late lunch break near the pool at the base of the waterfall. A bunch of the guys decided they were tired of smelling like a$$ so they were swimming. It seems all the newbies on this trip are taking to backpacking like fish to water. I'm glad to hear that.”

“not to nitpick, but Cold Mountain is 6030 feet. For some reason during and after climbing all of the southern sixers, I not-on-purpose managed to memorize the elevations just by studying the maps for my hikes.

wow just realized this thread is over four years old. nowslimmer, did you go to cataloochee?”

“Yeah treebait, nice to have newbies hitting the TT hikes.”

“Tipi Walter over n whiteblaze.net mentioned a hike that sounded real interesting and I am wondering if any TTers have any experience they would comment on in the area - Tipi Walter's comment:

"Here's where I'd go: Take hiway 105 out of Boone and go thru Linville and head south on hiway 181 like you're going to Morganton. As you descend the mountain you'll be going thru Pisgah Forest on both sides of the road and with a map(Wilson Creek map comes to mind)you'll see backpacking options everywhere.

My choice would be to turn left onto Forest Road 982 and after crossing a high concrete bridge bear left again onto FR 197. Park at the dead end and follow Trail 268A as it winds on the right side of Upper Creek(just follow the old road to where it stops and the trail continues thru some rhodo). This short trail(about 2 miles)puts one into a beautiful campsite with several water sources(a 100 foot waterfall is right behind the campsite)and good camping. From a basecamp here you can explore Upper Creek downstream where it opens up into a massive rock canyon much like Linville Gorge. Gotta check it out."”

“..Hoi did you get down to Panthertown after the Massacre?”

“yes I spend a couple days camped up on Little Green Mtn right were you recommended - I was hurting a bit however from the trail work I had done with SGT Rock so after a couple days I left without really exploring the area as much as I wanted to - I hope to go back to Panthertown sometime this coming spring.”

“I've been planning on hitting that area also.”

“hey Spam - you ever check out that area Tipi Walter recommended (above)?”