Black Balsam Knob to Cold Mountain

Shining Rock Wilderness is one of the few spots in the Southern Appalachians where open terrain and wide vistas are the norm, largely due to a 1925 wildfire that started at Black Balsam Knob and burned 25,000 acres in just 3 days.  It is also home to the famous Cold Mountain, where we will setup camp for the night.

From the Black Balsam Knob trailhead parking lot, we will take the Art Loeb Spur for .6 miles until we connect with the Art Loeb Trail to begin a 5 mile ridge walk across grassy balds including Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, and Flower Knob.  At the trail junction near Shining Rock Gap, we will continue following the Art Loeb Trail for about 3 miles up Stairs Mountain and then scramble up and down the spine of a ridge called The Narrows until descending into Deep Gap.  From Deep Gap, we will climb up the Cold Mountain Trail for 1.4 miles and then setup camp near the summit.

The next morning, we will backtrack around 4 miles over the Cold Mountain and Art Loeb Trails until we reach the junction with the Ivestor Gap Trail near Shining Rock Gap.  Finally, we will follow the Ivestor Gap Trail for about 4 miles until we reach our cars.

This is NOT a beginners backpacking trip, so please be sure you are in good physical condition.  However, we will not be hiking at a fast or fitness hike pace.

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