Art Loeb Trail

Infobox Hiking trail
Name = Art Loeb Trail
Photo = Shining Rock from Black Balsam Knob.jpg
Caption = The Art Loeb Trail across four 6,000 foot mountains. The view is from Black Balsam Knob, then the trail goes over the bald of Tennent Mountain. In the distance the trail is on the west slope of Shining Rock. To the left of Shining Rock is Cold Mountain, where the trail ends.
Location = Pisgah National Forest, Shining Rock Wilderness, North Carolina, United States
Length = 30.1 miles
Start/End Points = Davidson River Campground, Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp
Use = Hiking
HighPoint = Black Balsam Knob (6,214 ft)
LowPoint = Davidson River

The Art Loeb Trail is a 30.1 mile trail located in Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina. 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. 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). The trail also passes the base of Cold Mountain, made famous by the novel and film.

History

Originally part of the Cherokee Nation, the area was heavily logged in the early part of the 20th century.http://www.northcarolinaoutdoors.com/places/mountains/shiningrock.html]

The Art Loeb Trail was dedicated on November 9th, 1969. It was named after an avid hiker and Carolina Mountain Club member, who resided in Brevard. Mr. Loeb often explored and cared for the area. [ [http://www.hikertohiker.com/writings/art-loeb/"] Searching for Art Loeb (accessed June 14, 2008)]

Locomotive fires in 1925 and 1942 are the cause for the expansive, open views around Black Balsam Knob.

Animals, Plants and Geology

There are a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals in the area. Deer, Rattlesnakes, Rabbits and Bobcats may be spotted by the watchful hiker. While most of the Spruce and Fir was removed by logging, there are areas where these trees are encountered on the trail. There are significant differences in the landscape from the southern end of the trail compared to the higher elevations.

Along the way, the hiker encounters some unique geology. From Pilot Mountain, there's a view of the Looking Glass Rock pluton. Close to Butter Gap is Cedar Rock, a large granite outcropping. In addition, Shining Rock and its cluster of quartz boulders can be encountered via a side trail.

Activities

The trail sees many hikers taking advantage of the trail's proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville, in addition to literary enthusiasts exploring Cold Mountain. [http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/01/26/nc.cold.mtn.ap/index.html] Hikers around Cold Mountain in the Shining Rock Wilderness should be prepared, as the trails are not marked, and there are no signs.

South of Ivestor Gap the trail is outside of the Shining Rock Wilderness, and contains blazes and signs to help with navigation. The trail also shares with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail for a short stretch in the Silvermine Bald area. There are also several side trails that connect to the Art Loeb, including the optional climb up Cold Mountain.

Challenges for the hiker include steep ascents and descents in elevation, exposed hiking on high Appalachian Balds, and few water supply points.

To complete the entire trail, most guides recommend either three or four days. There are several backcountry camp spots throughout the trail, with primitive shelters at Deep Gap and Butter Gap.

Starting in 2001, an adventure run of the entire trail is held on the Winter Solstice. [http://www.trailheads.org/public_html/article.php?story=20080115205153378]

External links

* [http://webcam.srs.fs.fed.us/index.asp Cold Mountain Web Cam]
* [http://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/pisgah/longdistance/artloeb.html Information Page]
* [http://tightywhitey.blogspot.com/2008/04/thru-hiking-art-loeb-trail.html Photos of Backpacking trip of Art Loeb Trail, April 2008]
* [http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?trailname=4575 Photo Journal of Backpacking trip of Art Loeb Trail, June 2006]

Notes