Shining Rock stands out as a truly distinctive summit within the North Carolina mountain range. Nestled in the Great Balsam Range, between Waynesville and Brevard, its uniqueness isn’t derived from typical mountain grandeur like expansive panoramas or steep cliffs. Instead, Shining Rock earns its name and fame from a remarkable natural feature: a massive, brilliant white quartz outcrop situated just below its peak. Even with a dense overhead cover of fir and hardwood trees, these ‘shining’ rocks are remarkably visible from considerable distances, acting as a beacon in the landscape. While Shining Rock summit welcomes a good number of hikers annually, it remains less crowded than some of the more southerly neighboring peaks, offering a slightly more secluded mountain experience. For those seeking a relatively accessible route to the summit, the Art Loeb Trail from the Black Balsam Knob Trailhead provides an excellent option, which is the path I chose on my recent visit. This approximately 4-mile hike to Shining Rock is arguably one of the most breathtaking trails in the Southern Appalachians, traversing over 3 miles of open, grassy bald terrain and crossing four peaks exceeding 6,000 feet in elevation, including the iconic Shining Rock itself.
My anticipation to revisit Shining Rock was high, especially since my last hike there was quite some time ago, back in 2005. To my slight dismay, I realized I hadn’t properly recorded the summit on that previous trip. This meant, according to my personal list of Southern 6’ers, a return journey was necessary to officially claim the summit. With the autumn colors beginning to emerge above 5,000 feet and a forecast promising crisp, partly clear conditions, it felt like the perfect opportunity. The urge to return to Shining Rock was simply too strong to ignore.
Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.325752, -82.881991
Route Type: Inverted Lollipop
Difficulty: VERY HARD (Petzoldt Rating: 11.70 )
Hike Length: 9.5 miles
Hike Duration: 3:00
Trailhead Temp: 44’F
Trail Traffic: 25-50 people
Min. Elevation: 5,650′
Max. Elevation: 6,214′
Total Vertical Gain: 1,100′
Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile: 116′
Trails Used (Blaze Color): Art Loeb (white), Ivestor Gap (unblazed), Old Butt Knob (unblazed)
10-1-2013
