I have hiked this area pretty thoroughly. I’ve done the Art Loeb Trail in sections both ways and have thru-hiked it twice. Last time, I day-hiked it in 13 hours. I’ve done Cat Gap and John Rock. So imagine my … Continued
There are lots of ways to get to Shining Rock. The 4.3-mile Ivestor Gap Trail is probably the easiest way in terms of difficulty. The Art Loeb Trail is probably the most rewarding in terms of beauty. The 4-mile Shining … Continued
I first hiked the 30.1 mile Art Loeb Trail in the fall of 2016. A drought made the hike more challenging than it probably should have been. I did it SOBO over 3 days. My first afternoon featured 4 miles … Continued
I’ve been to Silvermine Bald Overlook a few times. The first time was during my first Art Loeb Trail thru-hike when I randomly stumbled upon it. The leaves were changing and I was stunned at the unexpectedly alpine landscape. View … Continued
Most posts to this site involve the travelog, but some simpler experiences demand be shared as well. As I’ve said before, Black Balsam Knob is one of my favorite places. I’m in the Shining Rock Wilderness often because of all … Continued
I’ve been wanting to get in some big miles while the weather is unseasonably warm and sunny. I had plans in Asheville on Friday night, so I figured I’d just drive to a campsite afterward. That way I could hit … Continued
The Art Loeb Trail is a 30.1-mile pathway through Pisgah National Forest that crosses four 6000-foot peaks and winds around the base of a fifth at Cold Mountain. I’m still shaking down my new gear, so I thought this would … Continued
Cat Gap Loop is a well-populated hiking trail in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. I dropped by the Sunday before Labor Day thinking that most tourists would be at one of the more popular trails in the area. … Continued
Black Balsam Knob Mountain might be my favorite spot on my usual stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s in Pisgah National Forest just above Graveyard Fields, and about ten miles north of Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower. It’s also … Continued