Cold Mountain: Difference between revisions

From TEHCC Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->{{Infobox Trail | Imag...")
 
Line 158: Line 158:
<gallery>
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:AM_Snake_Mountain_Parking_Area.jpg|Parking area at the start of hike
Image:PRD_Cold_Mountain_Parking.jpg|Narrow parking
Image:PRD_Cold_Mountain_Parking.jpg|Narrow parking
Image:PRD_Cold_Mountain_Art_Loeb_Trailhead.jpg|Kiosk at the start of the Art Loeb Trail
Image:PRD_Cold_Mountain_Art_Loeb_Trailhead.jpg|Kiosk at the start of the Art Loeb Trail

Revision as of 15:30, 13 April 2016

PRD Cold Mountain 02.jpg
Trail Name Cold Mountain
Nearest City Canton
State North Carolina
Trail Marking
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png
Difficulty Rating Hard
Hiking Time 8 hours0.5 Days <br />480 Min <br />
Distance, round-trip 9.9 miles15.932 km <br />
Climb/Descent Elevation 3,4183,418 Feet <br />1,041.806 Meters <br /> / -3,418-3,418 Feet <br />-1,041.806 Meters <br />
High Point 6,0306,030 Feet <br />2,010 Yards <br />1,837.944 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Asheville, NC
Trip Reports Click Here
Loading map...
Show Large Map

Trail Overview

Cold Mountain is a 6,030 foot mountain in the northern part of the Shining Rock Wilderness which is part of the larger Pisgah Ranger District. The mountain is quite impressive to look at as it really sticks out from the surrounding landscape. It can be seen from many viewpoints in the area including from downtown Asheville.

The mountain gained national attention in 1997 with the publishing of Charles Frazier’s Civil War era novel “Cold Mountain”. The book was adapted to a big budget Hollywood movie in 2003 giving it further exposure. The movie was filmed in Romania BTW.

The main way most day hikers get to the summit of Cold Mountain is a 10 mile out and back hike from Camp Daniel Boone.

You'll start this hike on the Art Loeb Trail until it reaches Deep Gap. After that you'll take the 1.5 summit spur trail to the top of Cold Mountain. It is uphill the entire way.

The reward of this hike (besides the glory of hiking to the top) is several spectacular 180 degree views into the Shining Rock Wilderness.

How to get there

Google Maps Driving Directions

Route Description

You won't have any views until the summit. You are in the forest the entire way until the final ridgeline.

There are a lot of wild flowers along the trail in the spring.

The hike begins at Camp Daniel Boone which grants year-round access even if camp is closed.

The Art Loeb trailhead is well marked on the left side of the Little East Fork Road near the back of the camp past the last building. Just park on the shoulder of the road.

Miles Cold Mountain Elevation
0.0 miles Kiosk for Art Loeb trail at Daniel Boone Camp 3,282 feet
3.6 miles Deep Gap / Cold Mountain trail junction 5,002 feet
4.4 miles Water Source / Mike Hagler tribute 5,625 feet
4.5 miles Arrive at ridgeline 5,693 feet
4.6 miles Multiple campsites / confusing side trails 5,825 feet
4.9 miles Cold Mountain summit / benchmark 6,030 feet
5.2 miles Multiple campsites / confusing side trails 5,825 feet
5.3 miles Leave the ridgeline 5,693 feet
5.4 miles Water Source / Mike Hagler tribute 5,625 feet
6.2 miles Deep Gap / Art Loeb Trail junction 5,002 feet
9.9 miles Kiosk for Art Loeb trail at Daniel Boone Camp 3,282 feet

Typical Conditions

  • The Art Loeb trail immediately starts climbing steeply with switchbacks and some rocky areas.
  • After about a mile the trail reaches the first ridgeline and then the trail becomes more moderate with a slow elevation gain.
  • It gets steep again on the final climb into Deep Gap.
  • At Deep Gap the summmit trail is a spur off of the main Art Loeb Trail. From here it is about 1.5 miles to the summit.
  • The summit trail is steep and rocky but easy to follow.
  • Once on the ridgeline there are a large amount of campsites with multiple side trails that can be confusing but they all eventually connect back up.
  • Rock outcrops along the ridgeline have spectacular views south over the Shining Rock Wilderness.
  • The summit is right on the trail and is marked with a benchmark. Views are here too.
  • Weirdly enough, if you stand on the summit rock you'll get full cell phone signal (Straight Talk). Step off the rock and you'll barely get a signal.


Fees, Permits, etc.

All of Cold Mountain is in the Shining Rock Wilderness. There are no markings or trail signs the entire way as a result. Maps and/or GPS are highly recommended to avoid getting lost.

Group size is limited to 10 hikers due to Wilderness area restrictions.

After the Hike

Misc. Information

There is a reliable water source on the summit spur trail just below the top ridgeline.

Cold Mountain made our local news September 2015 when a Jonesborough resident was injured doing this exact same hike spurring a two day search and rescue that ended with her being found alive thankfully.

"Assistant DA missing in N.C. mountains found alive after being lost two days" (Johnson City Press)

Maps

Loading map...

Photos