Art loeb hiking trail, north carolina romantic asheville. Weighing in at just 4 grams, this waterproof, durable map features a map of the art loeb trail on one side and an elevation profile with altitudes and trail datainformation on the other. During easter break april 1216, 2006, dave, ben, and i hiked the art loeb trail in western north carolina. Pull into the campground and make an immediate left into the art loeb trail parking lot.
Some of the art loeb trail is featured in the hiking guide book hiking the blue ridge. Although one of the longest and more difficult trails in north carolina, the 30. You can access the peak and make a loop using the art loeb trail and fr 229 from gloucester gap on. The trail is named after arthur loeb, a conservationist and avid hiker who deeply loved the. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. The trail begins at camp daniel boone and travels through the high balsams of the shining rock wilderness area and drops into the forest covered lands along the last two thirds of the trip ending at davidson river campground. Stay on the art loeb trail until the very confusing intersection with butter gap. The 34 mile art loeb trail is one of the most popular weekend backpacking trails in the asheville area. The best backpacking trails in north carolina rei coop journal.
I also used gps mapping on my phone and had a paper map and a compass as backup. Hikers should bring a good trail map with them before venturing out. All satellites, w smoke, modis, viirs 375m, viirs progression, ir progression. Along the way, the trail traverses several significant peaks, including black balsam. The trail also passes the base of cold mountain, made famous by the novel and film. Also includes cold mountain, old butt knob and shining creek spur trails. Black balsam knob on the art loeb trail asheville trails. You will take the blueblazed butter gap trail that goes downhill on your right. If you cant make the higher mileage for this loop at least climb up to the summit of black balsam knob. The art loeb trail leading to shining rock crosses black balsam knob and tennent mountain, all grassy balds with panoramic views. Cold mountain nc on the art loeb trail asheville trails. Hiking shining rock wilderness, art loeb trail and cold. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows.
The art loeb trail alt pocket profile map is another great map to show the elevations of summits and gaps as well as water sources on the trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Many turn this trail into a multiday trip, but be aware of other trail users who break the trail into segments for day use. Looking at a topo of the trail, water sources along the trial look sparce. The art loeb trail crosses the blue ridge parkway at milepost 421. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from march until october. Shining rock mountain on the art loeb trail asheville trails. Art loeb spur trail, located near haywood county, north carolina is a 0. Click on a route, trail, or point on the map and select the gps data tab to download its data. Soon the trail crosses fsr 816 and climbing to the very popular black balsam knob. Listed as one of national geographic adventures 30 best hikes in north america, the 30.
Art loeb hiking trail, north carolina romanticasheville. While the art loeb trail is challenging, it is doable to complete in a weekend, if so desired. Much of the trail still had standing water and lots of mud. Water is sparse on this trail for most of the year, though it was plentiful during my. The trail has seen recent trail maintenance and is a wide gravel path. Description shining rock via art loeb trail hike best. Starting at the davidson river near the davidson river campground, near brevard, nc, section 1 of the trail climbs shutin ridge and. The adventure begins at the art loeb trailhead, located just off the blue ridge parkway at milepost 420 view maps and driving directions. Begin the sam knob trail 617 blue blaze on the right near the pit toilets. Hike profile the hike is an out and back hike to shining rock following the art loeb iii trail with the option to do a loop hike by returning on the ivestor gap trail, bypassing grassy cove top, tennent mountain.
The northern terminus is at the daniel boone boy scout camp in haywood county, while the trail s southern terminus is located near the davidson river campground, near brevard, in transylvania county. However, if you backtrack about 10 yards down the trail from the top youll find a short spur trail on the left that leads to a rock ledge that offers an incredible 180degree view towards the. Art loeb trail running trail, brevard, north carolina. The trail is well worn and goes uphill at a pretty steep pace. Shining rock wilderness loop via art loeb trail north.
Description although one of the longest and more difficult trails in north carolina, the 30. This is a popular mountain biking trail, so keep an eye and earphone out for them. Caz art trail maps map of 2019 cazenovia art trail. Trail was only difficult to follow around the shining rock area, but if you download the all trails map and have battery on your cell phone you. Trailhead information and parking for a shuttle vehicle are available here as well as a lovely creek to cool off in after a completed thru hike. Hiking shining rock wilderness, art loeb trail and cold mountain. Section hiking the art loeb trail appalachian voices. Several trails intersect bradley creek, so check your map for loop. The northern end is at the daniel boone boy scout camp near cold mountain, while the trails southern end is near the davidson river campground, near brevard in transylvania county. Feb 10, 2019 if you are looking for a solid prep hike for the appalachian trail or just want to hike one of national geographic adventures top north american hikes, look no further than the art loeb trail in brevard, nc. Most of the trail is overlapped by the mountainstothe sea trail which is blazed with 3inch white dots. Water is sparse on this trail for most of the year, though it was plentiful during my hike because the snowmelt supplied springs along the way. The northern terminus is at the daniel boone boy scout camp in haywood county, while the trails southern terminus is located near the davidson river campground, near brevard, in transylvania county. Art loeb and north slope loop north carolina alltrails.
Being such a long trail, it is divided up into 4 sections by the forest service, which we use on this site as well. In my planning for the trip, i was dissatisfied with the amount of information available about the art loeb trail, including any information about hikers completing the trail in one weekend. Recommended hike to some of the best views on the parkway. Hikers on in the northern part of the trail in the shining rock wilderness will find unmarked trails, so bring a map. Youll begin the hike on the north side of the river, crossing almost immediately and continuing to climb your way up in elevation and out of the davidson river valley. We passed several forest service roads and made our way up stony knob and then a fairly difficult ascent of chestnut knob.
Please use the perspective of the hiker exiting the trail to describe how to get to your facility. Hike the cat gapart loebbutter gap loop in pisgah national. Art loeb trail shuttles, permitted through the us forest services, pisgah ranger district, we supply transportation to the trail head at daniel boone campground. Due to tree cover there are no views from the 6030foot summit. This trail is a memorial to art loeb, who was an activist from the carolina. Balsam spring gap black balsam rd jct hiking art loeb trail 0. The whole trail is 30 miles, so you can go out as far as youd like. The hike departs on the art loeb trailhead at the southern end of the daniel boone boy scout camp view maps and driving directions, catching views of the tumbling little east fork pigeon river beside the trailhead parking area. Rather than a loop trail, the art loeb trail runs northbound for 30 miles from the davidson river campground to the daniel boone boy scout camp. Got a group of 4 doing the art loeb trail april 69. Hiking the art loeb trail in pisgah national forest. This trail is commonly divided into four separate sections, and. Pilot mountain is a notable landmark on the art loeb trail in pisgah national forest.
Art loeb trail topo map in transylvania county, north carolina. Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. Map of 2019 cazenovia art trail printed maps were available at all art trail studios and locations during the event which was held september 28th and 29th, 2019 from 10 am to 5 pm. The art loeb trail can be hiked from north to south or viceversa. Shining rock wilderness loop via art loeb trail is a 9.
Guide to hiking the art loeb trail in one weekend the trek. Feel free to include specific directions to help us understand where you are in reference to the trail. There are forestry roads here and hikingmountain biking trails. Any information on reliablesemi reliable water sources would be great. Art loeb hiking trail western nc hikes visit nc smokies. If you are looking for a solid prep hike for the appalachian trail or just want to hike one of national geographic adventures top north american hikes, look no further than the art loeb trail in brevard, nc. The trail descends quickly to catpen gap and then rises to sandy gap and amazing views of cedar rock mountain. But, the gpx file lines up with the nat geo map for the pisgah forest so im sure its good. Many hikers use the art loeb for extended backpacking trips, while others use shorter sections for day hikes, or use connecting trails to form several outstanding loop hikes. Im still shaking down my new gear, so i thought this would be a good test i allowed myself 3 days and nights to complete the hike, but i really hoped to complete it in 2. At black balsam, the trails high point at 6214 feet, is a plaque commemorating art loeb as well as the trail. The art loeb trail crosses four 6,000foot mountains, including black balsam knob 6,214 ft near the blue ridge parkway. There are three main access points for trails within the wilderness. Printed maps were available at all art trail studios and locations during the event which was held september 28th and 29th, 2019 from 10 am to 5 pm.
Greetings, little bear and i are planning to hike the art loeb trail in the pisgah nf, just southwest of asheville, nc. Once at high knob the trail meanders on level ground through shutin ridge. Art loeb trail brevard 2020 all you need to know before. Given the number of trail intersections in this wilderness, we highly recommend hiking with an official trail map. We followed and art loeb trail up to the summit of black balsam knob from the trailhead off black balsam road. The only problem was it didnt tell us where water sources were. Art loeb trail hiking trail, brevard, north carolina. The art loeb trail is a 30 mile difficult trail, but this shorter 9.
The hike ventures northbound from the road, trekking through tall grasses and diving into a grove of balsam fir. Art loeb trail shuttle pure vida adventures guides. The art loeb trail was wellmarked with white blazes and numerous wooden signs. Its steep, conical summit rises high above the surroundings and can be seen from many viewpoints along the blue ridge parkway and in the pisgah ranger district. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and camping and is best used from december until february. See photos and hike details for the art loeb trail in north carolina in the. Along the way, the trail traverses several significant peaks, including black balsam knob 6,214 ft, tennent mountain 6040 ft and pilot mountain 5095 ft. I did a 24 hour hike of the art loeb trail several.
Dec 06, 2017 the art loeb trail was wellmarked with white blazes and numerous wooden signs. The art loeb trail is one of the longer and more difficult. At black balsam, the trail s high point at 6214 feet, is a plaque commemorating art loeb as well as the trail. The trail has seen recent trail maintenance and is. The art loeb trail crosses four 6,000foot mountains, including black balsam knob 6,214 ft near the blue ridge parkway and tennent mountain 6,040 ft. The cold mountain trail is a strenuous spur trail that leads off from the art loeb trail.
The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from march until november. Soon you are out in the open climbing several balds the views in all directions are spectacular. The portion from the parking lot was pretty rocky so the combination made for tricking footing and slower progress. Sprout and i met on the at back in 2011 and have remained close friends we now find ourselves living in the same area near asheville, north carolina and both craving adventure. To see all the other connecting trails, see the davidson river and shining rock wilderness maps. I was pleased to find the big hike app i used on the at had the art loeb trail as well. The art loeb trail uses the same path as the mountains to sea trail along portions of its length. Anyone who has hike this trail, please respond to this posting about the availability of water on the trail.
Hammock camping can also easily be done along this route due to the abundance of trees. Hike profile the hike is an out and back hike to shining rock following the art loeb iii trail with. Guide to hiking the art loeb trail in one weekend the. Oct 06, 2016 once at high knob the trail meanders on level ground through shutin ridge.
The trail is named after arthur loeb, a conservationist and avid hiker who deeply loved the mountains of north carolina. She looks over with a hint of amusement in her eye and says, i was thinking about hiking the art loeb on monday, wanna. Night 1 we camped at black balsam rd and there is a a marked spring on the map at the intersection of the mst however it was not real great while we were there. Im still shaking down my new gear, so i thought this would be a good test. Art loeb trail hiking trail, brevard, north carolina hiking project. The challenging art loeb trail is a 30mile hiking trail located in pisgah national forest.
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