Backpacking: Cold Mountain / Shinning Rock / Black Balsam Knob / Graveyard Fields

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Backpacking: Cold Mountain / Shinning Rock / Black Balsam Knob / Graveyard Fields

The Basics:

Event Type:

Adventure

Event Location:

Shinning Rock Wilderness Area - North Carolina

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, May 26 2007 8:00 am >> N/A (Carpool Departure: 8:15 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, May 23 2007 11:59 pm

Event Duration:

3 days - 2 nights

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Trip Leader(s):

Lee Harris

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

EXPLORER SERIES BACKPACKING:

Ok folks lets beef up the backpacking. On this trip we get to spend an entire day in the back country without having to get in a car to drive anywhere.

We will stop for lunch on the way up. We will travel from Atlanta to the Daniel Boone Boyscout Camp.
Day 1: Cold Mountain Begin hiking "Art Loeb Trail". Trail Rating: DIFFICLUT Trail Length: 3.8 Miles Switch trail to "Cold Mountain Trail" Trail Rating: DIFFICULT Trail Length: 1.4 Miles Set up camp relax and have fun.

Day 2: Shinning Rock / Black Balsam Knob / Graveyard Fields. Backtrack Hiking "Cold Mountain Trail" Trail Rating: DIFFICUlT Trail Length: 1.4 Miles Switch Trails to "Art Loeb Trail" Trail Rating: DIFFICULT Trail Length: 6.8 Miles Side Hike Graveyard Fields Trail Rating: Moderate Trail Length: 4 miles round trip We will stop for lunch at either Shinning Rock or Shinning Rock Gap depending on how we are progressing . We will spend a little time checking out Shining Rock, the views are GREAT! After we leave Shining Rock we will continue on towards Black Balsam Knob where we will set up camp. If it is windy we might move camp down into the graveyard fields. After setting up camp we will hike cross country down to the Graveyard fields. This is mostly open ground, not really any bushwacking. It's about 2 miles each way vs 4 miles each way following the trail. This is where we will refill our water supply and check out a few water falls. After playing around down here we will hike back to camp.

Day 3: 2 options for return: The first is to head back over the "Art Loeb Trail" which we came on or take the lower FLAT trail. Both take us back to Shining Rock Gap where we will connect with the Little East Fork Trail. Both trails are about the same length of 3 miles but the views are MUCH BETTER on the high route. Little East Fork: Trail Rating: DIFFICULT Trail Length: 5.4 Miles From Shinning Rock Gap we will take the "Little East Fork" side trail which takes us Back to the Daniel Boone Boyscout Camp.

Arrive back at cars and drive home to Atlanta.

We will maintain a steady pace so that we can stop to enjoy the views and take some pictures if wanted. This won't be a forced march by any means since we will have plenty of time each day to complete the mileage but because of the terrain you will need to be in good shape to stay with the group.

Required Items to Bring:
Standard backpacking gear I will be bringing a camp saw, water-filter and stove to share if you don't have one. You will need your own fuel for the stove though so contact me by email if you would like to use mine and I can inform you of the fuel type. I will also be bringing a frisby in case we feel the urge, please don't throw it off the top of one of the ridges to see how far it will fly = )

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Enough food for dinner Saturday, Breakfast lunch and dinner Sunday, Breakfast and Lunch on Monday.

How to Get There:

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

350Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:15 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $140.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

Water Sources: Cold Mountain / Shining Rock Gap / Graveyard Fields. This Trip is at High Elevation: Cold Mountain: 6030' Stairs Mountain: 5869' Black Balsam Knob: 6214' The "Art Loeb Trail" runs along the top of the ridge lines so we will be at high elevation the entire time. We will stop for dinner Monday on the way home but will get back into Atlanta just after dark. Total Backpacking length: Approximately 22 miles. Additional Side Hike of 4 miles. Driving Directions will be handed out at Carpool.

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