cold mountain

“goin to cold mountain the first week of '05. what you ppl know about it? any good loops i could do?”

“Which Cold Mountain? I have some info on the one off the AT in Virginia.”

“If you're talking about Cold Mountain in Pisgah National Forest, NC then I would do a TT search first because several specific trails have been identified and merits discussed. As I recall their are two ways to get to the top. The one I've been on is the section of Art Loeb Trail that crosses the paved Forest Service road (don't know the number)that turns off to the right at Milepost 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway as you drive south towards Cherokee, NC.
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Parking is available in a parking lot about 1/4 mile past where the trail crosses the road. But a lot of people just park on the edge of the road right where the trail crosses.
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Be forewarned though, the Parkway may be closed through that section. It depends on the weather.
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The other trail is located somewhere off of US276 after you go under the Parkway towards Waynesville. I think it's on a side road at a Boy Scout camp or something like that. The best thing to do is stop at the Ranger Station on US276 near Brevard and get a map. You'll need to check in anyway. They'll probably want to see your winter gear.
Cold Mountain got it's name for a reason. Be prepared for high winds and temperatures that could go as low as -10F.”

“the Art Loab trail is probably the best in that area.”

“this movie's pretty good ; ) and jude law is my future husband.


no, but seriously, i don't know the area but would love to get there some day.”

“

if you have any questions about Cold Mountain, a great resource is the wild country forum. Many of the posters there are from Western NC and have a lot of knowledge on the area. Cold Mountain/Shining Rock is a common topic on that forum. You can access it by clicking the link below.
http://www.griztrax.net/gtforum/wildcountry.html
the pics I posted on this thread were taken by GT, the forum monitor. He hikes in that area alot, lives closeby and is a great guy.

You can bet it will be cold up there! I think Cold Mountain is 6,088 feet or something like that. Are you planning on camping on the summit? I think it's somewhat of a heath bald on the summit cone. Also, you may need crampons, atleast insteps for when you get closer to the top, because it will be icy.
last edited: 11/30/04 6:44:58 PM”

“to add to what solitary hiker said that forest road is 816 and ends at a sizeable parking area and the beginning of the Ivestor Gap trail. Follow that (about 4 mi.)to Shining Rock Gap and set up camp. Relax, go up to Shining Rock summit etc. Next day do a day trip out to Cold Mtn. over the Art Loeb and Cold Mt. trails that junction in Deep Gap. Summit the Cold and return to your camp. Thats a pretty long day in itself particularly since they are short. Return to vehicle on day 3...again ck road conditions before heading to parkway or you may find its closed and would only be able to access the Cold from the Daniel Boone BS camp. That trip is on the Art Loeb from the north end up about 5 miles to deep Gap and the junction with the Cold Mt. trail. Then is 1 and a half to summit. Plenty of water.”

“There are several ways to get to Cold Mountain. The three easiest trails would be Ivestor Gap Trail and Art Leob Trail, with trailhead access from Rt. 816 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, or Graveyard Ridge Trail, with the trailhead on the Blue Ridge Parkway. However I was there in late September 2004 and this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway was closed from heavy rain. Several sections of the Parkway have been washed away and I’m not sure if this section of the Parkway has been reopened. There are also three trailheads off Rt. 215, which separates Middle Pong Wilderness and Shining Rock Wilderness. The Mountains To Sea Trail and Sam Knob Trail are both near the Parkway. The other trail is Fork Mountain Trail at the bottom of the ridge about 2 miles south of Lake Logan. This is a great trail, but not only is there a lot of climbing you also have a major creek crossing right after you leave your car. The shortest trail is from Daniel Boone Camp at the end of the road following the Little East Fork of the Pigeon River, but you should check to see if this road was damaged from the flood. Two other trails, Shining Creek Trail and Old Butt Knob Trail, start along Rt. 276 about 2 miles south of Cruso. Both trails climb from 3,400 feet to 5,800 feet. Shining Creek Trail gains elevation gradually, but Old Butt Knob Trial gains 1,600 feet in the first 1.5 miles (in several places you’ll be using all fours).

The weather can vary greatly. I was there with Johnny Molloy about 4 years ago on a three nighter. The first day was beautiful with a high of about 50. The second day it rained all day non-stop and the high was 40. The third day was partly cloudy with a high of about 45. It snowed the third night and the high on the fourth day was 24. I have a digital thermometer that won’t go below 14 degrees. It read 14 on the morning of the 4th day, so I’m not sure of the actual low.

Cold Mountain has received lots publicity lately with the book and the movie, but Shining Rock is the real jewel. There are hundreds of acres of balds in the area. It is one of the premier wildernesses in the southeast, but it can be crowded even in winter.”

“I like the sound of the Old butt Knob trail. I really need to get down to this area.”

“was just there maybe 2 weeks ago....parkway open....will agree about many ways just lookin at shortest that i know of with questionable weather conditions.”

“I highly recommend Shining Creek trail as an access trail. It's far less traficked than Ivestor Gap trail and the scenery is very nice.

Yes, the area is VERY crowded most of the time. It reminds me of the last time I was at Mt. Rogers. You couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting another backpacker.”

“This is my stopping grounds . But us locals use different names than what a map states. I look at this Cold Mountain everyday from my back porch....That is when I ain't I Korea. There are several trails Off of 215 or 276 in Haywood County NC. But since I'm in Korea I can't give you the specific trail names because my maps are in the front seat of my truck. But there is a little rustic looking business at the intersection of 215, 210, 276 that overlooks the West Pigeon River that has maps. Oh Yea have lunch across the river at the Jukebox Junction.
Be pre[ared for some weather changes. Middle Pronge and Shining Rock get cold cold that time of year. Also use a stove only. Depending on which trail you use, one side of the trail fires are authorized then on the other side thay are not. Check the regs.
last edited: 12/02/04 6:39:54 AM”

“"You couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting another backpacker.”

skullcap


LOL.. lmao.. LOL!!!”

“I don't know what trails you hike or when other folks hike but I never have had a crowed hike. The area of Shining Rock I hike I've never seen a soul. Car campers close to the road but after I step it out I never see anyone. Middle Prong area I've met afew hikers but they were mostly day hikers and they were always down low,up high no one”

“any good tips”

“buy Euros or gold.”

“Cold Mountain, NC?”

“yes nc”

“not yet, but I would like to. I'd like to do all of the Great Balsams. Hopefully get down there this summer and hike in that area.”

“nice campsite at Deep Gap, water just below the Gap. About a mile (give or take) to the summit. If you go South about ohhhhhh, I dunnoo, maybe 2 miles (maybe three, can't remember) there's more nice camping at Shining Rock Gap. Go just a bit south of Shining Rock Gap on the Art Loeb trail and theres a really nice spring and a nice large grassy campsite just above the spring on the West side of the Trail.

I did a trip up there last summer in June - there's pics in my webshots (link in my profile) and a trip report on here - search for Shining Rock Sixers and you should find the thread.”

“cool”

“Just saw the movie tonight. It would be awesome if the tracks from the soundtrack were in my "IN" box tomorrow morning.

Kindness is reciprocal:)”