Shining Rock Wilderness, North Carolina, USA, offers you the opportunity to be enthralled by mountain wilderness. This little known but beautiful place encompasses some of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, USA. For this reason, these fascinating mountains are a unique place you must put on your list of places to see.
Activity/Place Highlights
Shining Rock and the adjacent Middle Prong
These two together form one of the largest areas in the eastern United States. Furthermore, three peaks here break the 6,000-foot level, the tallest being Cold Mountain.
As a matter of fact, this wilderness is one of the premier hiking areas in the Blue Ridge Mountain. You can admire a world of timeless forests, mountain streams, and waterfalls. Also, natural meadows, called ‘balds’, offer dramatic views across ranks of weathered mountain ridges.
The Cold Mountain Trail
This marvelous mountain is a strenuous 9.8 mile hike that leads to the summit of Cold Mountain. Additionally, it grants you soul-lifting views of the ancient peaks and mist-filled glens of the Balsam Range. In the same way, the route leads through a forest that has some of the highest levels of biodiversity found in America.
Source by CutOffTies on Flickr – Under Creative Commons license
How to get there
The nearest city is called Asheville (AVL), and only a 24-minute drive from the city takes you to Pisgah National Forest, where Shining Rock Wilderness is found.
Moreover, you can reach Cold Mountain Trail from the Art Loeb Trail, which starts at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp. Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 423.2 and then travel north on North Carolina 215. Finally, after 13 miles (21 km), turn right onto Little East Fork Road and continue 3.8 miles (6 km) to the Scout camp.
When to go
Above all, from May through October is best; heavy snowfall is possible in winter.
How long
One day is enough to hike and enjoy this beautiful place.
Opening and Closing Hours
As it is a natural place, it is 24 hours opening.
Planning
No fees or permits are required to hike or camp at Shining Rock.
Inside Information
The trail is steep and suitable specifically for experienced hikers; allow seven hours, plus rest stops. Furthermore, the District Ranger Station provides maps and advice on conditions. Additionally, accommodations are available in Brevard and Waynesville.
History
The Shining Rock Wilderness is a protected Wilderness Area in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Thus, the original tract of land was among the first protected areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System that was passed in 1964.
Today, the Shining Rock Wilderness includes a total of 18,483 acres. For this reason, it is the largest Wilderness Area in North Carolina. Also, this protected wilderness was later joined by the adjacent Middle Prong Wilderness Area in 1984.
Websites
www.fs.usda.gov, https://ashevilletrails.com/.
Other nearby attractions
Linville Gorge Wilderness
Is the third largest wilderness area in North Carolina. Furthermore, it is one of only two wilderness gorges in the Southern United States.
Middle Prong Wilderness
Middle Prong Wilderness was designated in 1984 and it covers 7,900 acres within the Pisgah National Forest in Haywood County, Western North Carolina.
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