This is the trailhead just south of the Big East Fork Trailhead parking lot near Cruso, NC. There is snow on the ground from a recent snowfall. However, today it hit at least 75 degrees and the low for tonight is going to be around 50 degrees. Not bad for March 7th!!
Refreshing on a hot summer day
First Break
We found a beautiful and safe set of rocks to take a rest by the water. The water was cold and swift moving. Just below me the water drops off to a depth of about 3 1/2 feet.
Headed to Graveyard Fields
Where Are We?
On a trail headed to the Graveyard Fields area of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area.
Sunny and Beautiful
A View Upstream
This is a view of the stream and a mountain top
Another view up the stream
Rushing water
A second view of the rushing water you see along this trail.
Lunch Time!
Lunch time on the trail
We packed a sandwich lunch complete with a banana and bag of chips! We held out for this meal as long as we could which made it that much more delicious.
Water canyon
Rushing Water Canyon
Here the water is cutting through rock to form a really neat canyon.
More water carving a canyon
More Rushing Water
This picture was taken just before we decided to turn back because of my knee injury.
Once we knew the weather was changing we headed down the mountain from the summit as quickly as we could. At the sand-pit-like intersection of the trail we beared right. There are a few Rhododendron covered areas down this trail. We decided on one just as the snow started to fall. By the time we threw up our tent and quickly finished cooking dinner it began to sleet. Within 1 hour of standing on the summit we were already tucked in our sleeping bags trying to get cozy.
Large rock towering over trail
Towering Rock Is Place You May Get A Cell Phone Signal
This towering set of Rocks on the Shining Creek Trail is a place you may be able to get a cell phone signal. We place a call through Verizon Wireless. These rocks are approxamately 2/3 of the way down the Shining Creek Trail headed back to the Big East Fork Trailhead.
Stream rushing down ravine
Shining Creek Trail Has Beautiful Water Features
All along this trail you come into contact with waterfalls, stream convergences, water holes, and stream-side picnic spots. Expect to get your feet wet at the beginning of the Shining Creek trail (from the Shining Rock side) because there are several challenging stream crossings. We were thankful that the water was frozen when we crossed.
Another waterfall
The Waterfalls and Pools Are Gorgeous
I can imagine that on a warm day hiking just the Shining Creek Trail is a cool treat.
Jesse with his backpack
After All The Hiking Is Done
Jess and I took a few moments by the car before jumping in to drive the hour back to Asheville, NC.
Maggie with her backpack
Ahhh! What A Feeling!
It is such a rewarding feeling after you finish a long challenging hike. We are looking forward to some great hiking this year.
This is the second lookout we came to on the Old Butt Knob Trail. This is Old Butt Knob Lookout.
View from Old Butt Knob
Sunning Ourselves
We again put up our feet for a few minutes, nibbled on apples and peanut butter crackers, and enjoyed the warmth of the afternoon sun. Tonight's temperature is expected to be somewhere just below freezing!
Peering through some trees to the trail ahead
Winter View Of The Trail Ahead
This view is of the trail ahead and is approximately 2/3 of the way up the Old Butt Knob Trail.
Caption
Heading Goes Here
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Last section is through trees and is eroded
Narrow Eroding Trail
This is the last section of the Old Butt Knob Trail. It travels through a stand of thick trees and begins to switchback. Most of the trail here is well eroded and narrow. Still moderately steep.
Major crossroads in sand like pit
Head North (right) For Shining Rock
Shining Rock is close. If you stay right at this crossroad you'll end up at Shining Rock. We still are not positive where the trail to the 'slight left' goes. We camped down that trail a couple hundred feet in a rohdedendron 'cave' and hiked back to the crossroads in the morning.
Shining Rock
Shining Rock
This is one of the first group of rocks we came across at the summit. The weather is starting to change quickly. We seemed to be surrounded by a brewing storm and the only sunshine was right on us on the top of the mountain. It did not last.
On Shining Rock
Second Set Of Shining Rocks
This was our second quick stop at a pile of quartz on the summit of Shining Rock. The trail keeps going but the weather forces us down off the summit to search for a campsite.
There was no name on my map for this first lookout but it's a great place to get a snack and take a breather. I like to imagine this area and it's inhabitants as they were hundreds of years ago. Cherokee Indians lived in this part of North Carolina and Shining Rock is apparently part of some Indian folklore. I'd imagine they were better at climbing this hill then me.
Early afternoon lookout
First Good Lookout
The views are expansive. When you hike up a tough trail and stop, sometimes it feels as if your surroundings are moving. I think it's blood and endorphins pumping through your body as your heart rate speeds up that produces this feeling. You're literally 'high' and it makes the whole experience even more surreal and beautiful.
What makes trees grow like this?
About an hour and a half up Old Butt Knob trail you'll run into this odd looking tree. I wonder what would have caused this tree to grow like this. This tree is another good sign that you're still on the right trail.
Did I mention the trail is steep?
Short And Steep As They Say Right? I think
Actually, the saying is 'Short And Sweet'. At this point I'm having to remind myself why 'this' is fun and why I enjoy tough hikes. There are many spots on the trail that give the impression that you've 'reached the top' and the steepness will taper off. Nope! Just up the hill and around the corner...is another hill!
Seriously though, it's not that tough once you've completed the trip. And it's soooo worth the workout.
Trail Not On Our Map
Unkown Trail Intersection
Remember the rule? If you're not sure what trail to take, go up the steepest one and stay to the right. We're going to have to go back and see what's down this trail. Just stay to the right. You're almost to Old Butt Knob.
No Campfires Allowed
Campsite Before Old Butt Knob
Campfires are not permitted in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area. You could pitch a tent here and have a nice night below Old Butt Knob. We might camp here one night to get a night-view from Old Butt Knob which is coming up pretty soon on the trail.
Essential Information for the Shining Rock Loop Hike
Difficulty: moderate to very strenuous at spots Navigation: difficult - compass & map required Distance: 7.8 miles Hike Type: Loop Camping: YES Campfires: NO
This hike can be done in one day or, as we did, you can camp at Shining Rock summit and make the return loop the next day. If you choose to do the entire 7.8 mile loop in one day you should start as early as possible. Old Butt Knob trail is pretty steep and even though it's a short 3+ miles to Shining Rock, it's slow going. We had 20-30 lbs backpacks which slowed us down a bit.
Big East Fork Trailhead Parking Area
Start At Big East Fork Trailhead And Head North On Old Butt Knob Trail
There are two ways to get to the Big East Fork Trailhead parking area. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway to RT 276 North. RT 276 is at milepost 412. If the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed, take RT 276 from Canton, NC and follow it to the Big East Fork Trailhead parking area.
Old Butt Knob Trail / Big East Fork Trail
Trail Intersection: Take Old Butt Trail North
This is the first unmarked split you come to when starting to hike from the Big East Fork Trailhead. Stay right and you will be on the Old But
Old Butt Knob Trail / Shining Creek Trail
Trail Intersection: Old Butt Knob Trail meets the Shining Creek Trail
A 10 or 12 minute hike brings you to Old Butt Knob Trail and Shining Creek Trail intersection. Stay to the right to continue on Old Butt Knob to Shining Rock. Since Shining Creek Trail is our return loop, we could reverse our route here and take the longer Shining Creek Trail.
It's a steep trail
If In Doubt...Go UP HILL
You're bound to run into un-marked trails on this hike. You'll have to decide which is the correct trail by using your compass and map. If you decide to take Old Butt Knob Trail, use this rule: choose the steepest trail and stay to the right. We spent about 4.5 hrs. getting to Shining Rock summit via the Old Butt Knob Trail. Hey, don't laugh. It's a steep trail and we had 20-30 lbs packs on.
Fallen Tree
There are plenty of cool obstacles on this hike. This fallen tree is a sure-fire way to tell whether you've taken a wrong turn or not.
A steep rocky section of the trail
The Trail Is Rocky And Steep
The Old Butt Knob Trail is what I'd call a lung buster. It's short and steep.
I'm actually pretty gassed already
At this point I was feeling the steep trail in my legs and lungs. Having quit smoking for almost a year, Maggie and I aren't in too bad of shape. But this was our first hike of the year and we chose a tough one to see what shape we were in. This trail is tough but almost any healthy person could tackle it.
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