Shining Rock Wilderness

“Okie, Tater and I are definitly going to make a trip to this area before October 16th for an overnighter. (I think we're also open to the option of sleeping in the truck/camping near a trailhead on a Friday after work if feasible to afford an early start on Saturday)

I can't decide which trail(s) or combination of trails to use. I am open to all suggestions. Please suggest away.

Oh, I read somewhere that Sept. is a good time to go. Supposedly the crowds thin out? Is this correct?
last edited: 8/18/09 12:46:59 PM”

“Weekends can be crowded almost any time excepting winter. Holidays are really bad...weekdays almost no one.

Even crowded though you can find a spot to camp and have a good time.

Any of the trails that lead to Shining Rock are worthy of a trip. Shining Creek Trail is quite brutal going up. Big East Fork Trail not so bad. Art Loeb Trail up and over Black Balsam Knob is my recommendation. Ivestor Gap is the "highway" in (old Jeep road); fast way in but not too much in the way scenery/terrain.

You definitely need to take the extra walk from Shining Rock Gap to Shining Rock itself to take pictures.”

“Investor Gap trail is a road? That was what I was wondering --where the good scenery is. Ummm I heard there were good places to camp where the Art Loeb meets Investor Gap, is this so and is there water?

Also, I was looking at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout camp....can you park there? And is there a shuttle service in the area who could shuttle me to the Boy Scout camp?

Thanks for the advice. I'll look back at the map and see where Shining Rock is.”

“okie. I found an email with info re: this area. I have the name for the shuttle people.

But...still dunno about parking at Daniel Boone.

My thought is to start at the Daniel Boone camp area and hike the Art Loeb trail over to 816 is.

Any recommendations for water/camping spots are welcome.

Oh, and would anyone be interested in a trip such as this?

Once Tater and I firm up a date, I can post it if people wanna join us.”

“There are two springs on the Art Loeb Trail near Shining Rock Gap. Those were the only two water sources on the Art Loeb Trail on the north side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some of the lower trails might have water though.”

“If your starting at the Daniel Boone camp, parking there is limited, unless you park in the Camp parking lot, which this time of year 'might' be ok.

There is a nice spring above the Gap as your headed towards the Cold Mtn summit, it's not too far above the gap. The view from Cold Mtn back towards Shining Rock Mtn is worth the side trip.

Theres a parking lot on the south end of that area, maybe just south of Balsam Knob, i think?? (sorry, it's been a long time and my memory of the area is hazy) that might be better if your planning on crashing at the trail head upon arrival.

I had a trip report of a weekend trip i did there several years ago - search for shining rock sixers or something like that and you should find it. There's some pics i think in my webshots album too.”

“I may be interested. Can do weekday, or weekends”

“hey thanks for all the info. I guess the key is to carry a lot o water?

Shouldn't be too hard for an overnighter...

Opie, We'll be lookin at weekend dates. May also try to crash somewhere on Friday at the trailhead so we can get an early Saturday start.

I'll make sure to post it on the trip page when we figure out which weekend. I'm looking at sometime in Sept. or at the latest either the first or second weekend in October. Hmm Sept. 19th or October 3rd seems to come to mind (they're both saturdays).”

“As I recall, i started at the Boy Scout Camp and went to Cold Mtn, then went south towards Shining Rock. I camped at a fairly large site just below Shining Rock's summit and there was a nice spring there. I got water there and at the spring up by Cold Mtn.”

“Hey Roam. That would be Shining Rock Gap most likely where you camped at.

The parking lot you refer to is Black Balsam parking lot around milemarker 420 on the parkway is where you turn. That is the start of several trails..Ivester Gap, Sam Knob Trail, etc.

I parked at the boyscout camp for one trip, but it was in February with 18 inches of snow on the ground; so the camp was deserted...not sure what the situation is there the other times of year.

There is a spring (pipe) right before the climb to Cold Mountain; also as stated, there are springs right around Shining Rock Gap. Should be flowing that time of year, but you can check with the rangers nearer the time as well.”

“Parking is fine at CDB, altho it is very limited along the dirt road, where the Art Loeb climbs from a well-marked trailhead nat'l forest sign. The camp is useable for easy parking about all year round except for the 10 wk spread when the campers fill up past the spilling point. Rest of the year it's pretty clear, unless you've unluckily hit a weekend where the Boy Scouts have planned a function. Altho that's usually a miss, still, it can be hit or miss.”

“I missed the spring near the Cold Mountain Spur. Is it at the intersection between the Art Loab and Cold Mountain Trail somewhere?”

“at the moment Taylor and I are planning to do Shining Rock on the weekend of October 2-4.”

“Hey, I had another thought/question. It might be easier to stay at the Sunburst campground on Friday night. Does anyone have any information about that place -- is it safe, is there a fee? I believe I heard Spam talkin about it last year.

I was planning on trying to stay at the DAniel Boone Boy Scout shelter -- I spoke with the people there and got all the information. I'd have to fill out a form and it seems easier just to camp somewhere else, if possible.

Anyone stayed at Sunburst before?”

“Okie. Found a phone number --its amazing what Google will pull up.

Anywho, another option for late comers on Friday is to stay at the Sunburst Campground. It is $13.00 a nite for a site. One site has a max. of 6 people and two tents (ohh how cozy). lol. Anyway, its another option.”

“One of my favorite areas. I've spent a lot of time there in all seasons. It's particularly nice in the dead of winter with a feet or two of snow on the ground.

When backpacking in Shining Rock I always carry water, although as mentioned, there are several places to get good spring water. Your chosen route will determine the number of water opportunities.

As BBill mentioned the trip up from Shining Creek is brutal. We're talking a high stepping, thigh buster of a trail. If you go this way take the trail on the Waynesville side of the bridge.

There's a trip on Backpacker.com that follows a line I've taken a number times which gives you a great immersion into the Shining Rock Wilderness. You can find it here: http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?tripId=311988.

Arriving late the day before your trip you have several camping options. You can camp along Shining Creek at the base of the mountain on Hwy. 276 east of Waynesville. There are numerous sites along the creek but if you get there late on a weekend you'll have to walk a lot farther to get a spot. Mt. Pisgah has a fee campground and is about 11 miles from Black Balsam road. It's a little cramped and can be loud but if it's just for a night it will make due. Another site which has a lot of backpacking opportunities and trails as well is off of 215 before you get to Sunburst (traveling from the parkway). When you get to the bottom of the mountain and things start to flatten out look for a gravel road on your left. I believe there might be a camping sign still there. It's frequented by the local hunters and sometimes weekend party goers but I've never had any trouble with anyone while staying there. Oh, and it's free. There are a couple of creekside campsites that are heavily used but not bad when you need a place to stay. If push comes to shove you can always camp near the parking lot at the end of Black Balsam road. I've never done it myself but I have seen others set up right next to the lot without any problems.”