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. Hiking guide to get epic views of ncs blue ridge mountains. The entire art loeb trail is one one of the most difficult yet most popular trails in north carolina. Enjoy one of our favorite sections of the at on this 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip. Hiking info for art loeb trail, cold mountain, black. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the enter key is pressed. If you would prefur to go for a day hike, you can pick one of the sections of the trail to trek instead. Black balsam knob via art loeb trail north carolina alltrails. We placed our gear about 20 feet from our tent with a tarp over it, and right when it got dark the bear came, ripped all of our stuff to shreds, drug my buddys bag away, and then came back and hung around for. The trails southern terminus can be found off of highway 276 on the davidson river campground access road. This trail is a memorial to arthur loeb, an activist from the carolina mountain club. Highlights along this section of the trail include an upclose view of cedar rock and a shelter at butter gap. Section hiking the art loeb trail appalachian voices.
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. The art loeb trail is special and deserves a visit any time of year. Sections being such a long trail, it is divided up into 4 sections by the forest service, which we use on this site as well. Others use shorter sections of the trail for day hikes, or use connecting trails to. Blue ridge hiking company asheville, ncs official travel site. 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.
I forgot to video cold mountain because we had previously hiked it in january 2015. Hiking shining rock wilderness, art loeb trail and cold mountain. Art loeb trail hiking trail, brevard, north carolina hiking project. At black balsam, the trail s high point at 6214 feet, is a plaque commemorating art loeb as well as the trail. Antigravity gear art loeb trail alt pocket profile map by antigravity gear. Must read book for thruhiking the pacific crest trail. The goal of this trip is to provide a supportive environment to more.
Art loeb trail running trail, brevard, north carolina. Several weeks ago a friend and i thruhiked the art loeb trail north to south. 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. The view is from black balsam knob, then the trail goes over the bald of tennent mountain. Some of the art loeb trail is featured in the hiking guide book hiking the blue. Hiking the art loeb trail in pisgah national forest. The art loeb trail winter thru hike passing through the shining rock wilderness and pisgah national forest is a 30 mile test of endurance. Family and friends hiked the art loeb trail earlier this month to pay tribute to its namesake a man known as a trailblazer both literally and figuratively. Thruhiking the art loeb trail sobo hammock camping. We followed and art loeb trail up to the summit of black balsam knob from the trailhead off black balsam road.
Art loeb trail tips pisgah national forest youtube. It had been on our to do list for a few years so it was great to finally check it off. Part 1 the plan was to leave a little early thursday and drive to pisgah national forest and camp at davidson river campground. The best backpacking trails in north carolina rei coop journal. The art loeb trail crosses the blue ridge parkway at milepost 421. The trail also passes the base of cold mountain, made famous by the novel. The pisgah national forest divides the art loeb trail into four sections. Summiting tennant mtn, black balsam, and pilot mtn. 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. A drought made the hike more challenging than it probably should have been.
Once we got on the cold mountain trail we could smell and see the fire damage. The art loeb trail uses the same path as the mountains to sea trail along portions of its length. Turn onto the road to the davidson river campground near brevard, nc, 0. Sep 06, 2018 michael and his boyfriend, caleb, had planned to backpack the art loeb trail. Art loeb trail, section 3transylvania county north carolina. The art loeb trail in the blue ridge mountains of north carolina has been on my list since last october when i attended a mens gospel campout that my good friend jeremy puskas aka brother bones of bonefire gear hosts every fall. At this point, the art loeb trail turns right and starts heading up the ridge. Most of the trail is overlapped by the mountainstothe sea trail which is blazed with 3inch white dots. Art loeb trail shuttle pure vida adventures guides rock. Soon the trail crosses fsr 816 and climbing to the very popular black balsam knob. The art loeb trail begins at the far end of this parking area, following the river downstream for 34 mile or so.
Trip reports of a hike along art loeb trail from davidson. Normally this is a section where i like to take my time but me and sprout book it. Art loeb trail, section 3transylvania county north. Aug 31, 2017 this acclaimed trail connects the davidson river campground in brevard to camp daniel boone in haywood county, nc.
We were camping in an open grassy area on the art loeb trail, so there were no trees to hang our gear. Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas. If you cant make the higher mileage for this loop at least climb up to the summit of black balsam knob. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The joys and leg pain of backpacking the art loeb trail in pisgah national forest. Loeb as a tribute to the industrialist, conservationist and hiker who deeply loved these mountains. From here, you can take the much smoother and more level ivestor gap trail back to the sam knob parking area connecting back to the art loeb on a spur trail or walking down the access road for. This section of the art loeb was beautiful trail despite the 1800 foot climb. The art loeb trail is one of the most challenging yet most rewarding backpacking hikes in haywood county. Because we knew it would be a challenging trip and it would require some additional days off from work we always seemed to find an excuse to kick it down the road and do another. In the distance the trail is on the west slope of shining rock. Art loeb hiking trail western nc hikes visit nc smokies. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from march until october. This acclaimed trail connects the davidson river campground in brevard to camp daniel boone in haywood county, nc.
Section one starts at the davidson campground trailhead and heads west, traversing over steep ups and downs over ridges. We will start at davidson river and hike to daniel boone scout camp. Along its route the art loeb trail traverses several significant peaks, including black balsam knob 6214 feet, tennant mountain 6040 feet and pilot mountain 5072 feet. 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. Hike along for incredible views on 6,000 foot balds, wind. We first learned about the art loeb trail from a thread. Also includes cold mountain, old butt knob and shining creek spur trails. Dec 06, 2017 the art loeb trail is a pointtopoint backpacking trail that is just over 30 miles long, located near canton, n. Art loeb hiking trail, north carolina romanticasheville.
At black balsam, the trails high point at 6214 feet, is a plaque commemorating art loeb as well as the trail. My first afternoon featured 4 miles straight up from daniel boone campground to deep gap, where i camped for the night. Hiking shining rock wilderness, art loeb trail and cold. Portions of the trail, particularly around shining rock. The trail also skirts the base of cold mountain which was made famous by the novel and hollywood film. The trail is named after arthur loeb, a conservationist and avid hiker who deeply loved the mountains of north carolina. The cold mountain trail splits off from the art loeb trail roughly 3. The art loeb trail across four 6,000 foot mountains. This trail is commonly divided into four separate sections, and.
While the art loeb trail is challenging, it is doable to complete in a weekend, if so desired. Apr 27, 2017 this section of the art loeb was beautiful trail despite the 1800 foot climb. Art loeb hiking trail, north carolina romantic asheville. She looks over with a hint of amusement in her eye and says, i was thinking about hiking the art. The first section of trail begins here and takes you to gloucester gap. Each section of the trail offers a unique experience and gorgeous ridgeline views. Easily one of the most beautiful sections of the blue ridge mountains. Starting at the davidson river near the davidson river campground, near brevard, nc, section 1 of the trail climbs shutin ridge and. Backpacking the art loeb trail backpacking, national parks. During easter break april 1216, 2006, dave, ben, and i hiked the art loeb trail in western north carolina. The art loeb trail is in the western region of north carolina in pisgah national forest.
Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. At black balsam, the trails high point, is a plaque commemorating art loeb. Since it spans just over 30 miles throughout pisgah national forest and the wilderness surrounding it, the art loeb trail is broken down into four parts. Once i was dropped off at the starting point, my plan was to hike the first sectiona steep 3. The trail is no walk in the park, with trail section ratings ranging from difficult to most difficult. The river makes a big bend, and on the other side of the river you can see sycamore flats, a popular picnic area. Many turn this trail into a multiday trip, but be aware of other trail users who break the trail into segments for day use.
Art loeb trail h2o sources if this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. The first half of this portion of the art loeb trail is perhaps the most spectacular. Being such a long trail, it is divided up into 4 sections by the forest service, which we use on this site as well. I had planned on doing the art loeb back during the winter. Pull into the campground and make an immediate left into the art loeb trail parking lot. We will be offering shuttles along portions of the foothills trail for those looking to go backpacking. 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. Black balsam knob to shining rock is perhaps the most scenic section along the trail. It seems like the stretch between deep gap and the small spring in shining rock near the shining rock creek trailhead is very dry. Im planning to hike the entire art loeb trail with a couple of other people in midmarch. Black balsam and tennant mountains both exceed 6,000 feet in elevation. The trek over this mountain is probably the most perilous section of the art loeb trail boasting steep climbs over rocks that often require you to climb hand over hand or butt sliding down. Jan 04, 2016 our journey along the art loeb trail in may 2015.
Apr 26, 2018 from here, you can take the much smoother and more level ivestor gap trail back to the sam knob parking area connecting back to the art loeb on a spur trail or walking down the access road for. We dont know when or if this item will be back in stock. Guide to hiking the art loeb trail in one weekend the trek. Books about hiking the pacific crest trail to read if you loved wild must read book for thruhiking the pacific crest trail. The next good obvious spot is right below the first of two shelters you pass deep gap. Jul 24, 2018 this acclaimed trail connects the davidson river campground in brevard to camp daniel boone in haywood county, nc. 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. Hazards, rocky sections, steep grades, sections with no blaze. Apr 24, 2017 we first learned about the art loeb trail from a thread.
See section 4 of the art loeb trail for more information. Its been rated one of the top 30 hikes in north america and has been said to be the at condensed into 30 miles. When we did the trail in a day, we stashed a gallon of water at the parkway about mile 15 but i later found out that the art loeb in a day purists think this is cheating. Being such a long trail, it is divided up into 4 sections by. The goal of this trip is to provide a supportive environment for more.
You will explore the wonders of the pisgah national forest, the great balsam mountains, and the stunning shining rock wilderness. Trail runners and endurance hikers looking to put in some serious mileage, this ones for you. The trail is well worn and goes uphill at a pretty steep pace. It follows ridgelines along its entire route, meaning the hiker is constantly going up or down. The spur trail to cold mountain added another feet. The 34 mile art loeb trail is one of the most popular weekend backpacking trails in the asheville. The dedication was made shortly after loebs early death. It was the common warning call during the fire sections in southern california on. A little used but strenuous trail that begins off u. Meanderthals guide to hiking the art loeb trail in one. Backpacking the art loeb trail backpacking, national. It is named for art loeb, a resident of brevard, n.
Leaving our truck there, mom would pick us up around 8. The art loeb trail is a 30 mile difficult trail, but this shorter 9. It begins in the southern part of the pisgah national forest, crosses the blue ridge parkway, and passes through the shining rock wilderness area. Strenuous the first half of this portion of the art loeb trail is perhaps the most spectacular. Highway 276 and park in the art loeb trailhead parking lot. The pictures showed some wonderful exposed ridges with views something so rare on the east coast.
The trail also passes the base of cold mountain, made famous by the novel and film. Apr 15, 2016 the trek over this mountain is probably the most perilous section of the art loeb trail boasting steep climbs over rocks that often require you to climb hand over hand or butt sliding down. I recommend downloading a digital map ahead of time to help make sure you stay on trail. Michael and his boyfriend, caleb, had planned to backpack the art loeb trail.
Enjoy a supported adventure on the viewpacked art loeb trail, summitting 6000 peaks on the balsam range of the blue ridge mountains. The art loeb trail is one of the bestknown and most iconic longdistance trails in north carolina. Much of the trail still had standing water and lots of mud. Art loeb trail hiking trail, brevard, north carolina. Description although one of the longest and more difficult trails in north carolina, the 30. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows. Aug 06, 2018 the art loeb trail is one of the bestknown and most iconic longdistance trails in north carolina.
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