Shining Rock (via USFS 816)
Pisgah National Forest
Shining Rock Wilderness
1600 Pisgah Highway
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
(828) 877-3265
The Shining Rock Wilderness is a series of high elevation ridges with spectacular views in the Pisgah National Forest. Five peaks in the area are over 6000 feet including Cold Mountain (6,030 feet) and Black Balsam Knob (6,214 feet). However, the wilderness is named for Shining Rock (5,940 feet) which is a summit of white quartz located in the middle of the forest. The views from here are impressive (although not as drastic as other mountains in the area), and Shining Rock is a central hub for most of the backcountry trails in the wilderness. This hike starts at USFS 816 and follows the Art Loeb Trail over Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain where there are outstanding views in all directions. It then drops to the Investor Gap Trail and climbs gradually to Shining Rock.
- click to see trail photos from this backpacking trip in the Shining Rock Wilderness: October 17, 1999
- click to view a detailed trip report of this hike in the Pisgah National Forest: October 17, 1999 (password required)
- click to purchase the Pisgah Ranger District Trails Illustrated map which details on this area
- click for a topographical and profile map of this route over Tennet Mountain (password required)
- click for a map of intersecting trails at Shining Rock (password required)
- click for a photo of intersecting trails at Shining Rock (password required)
- click for more backpacking trips in the Shining Rock Wilderness in October 1996 and October 2000
- click to access the guidebook North Carolina Hiking Trails which has details on this destination
