Cold Mountain: Difference between revisions
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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
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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
Photos
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Narrow parking
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Kiosk at the start of the Art Loeb Trail
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Several camping sites at Deep Gap
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The start of the summit trail is in Deep Gap. 1.5 miles to the top from here.
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Reliable water source just below the top of the ridgeline
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Looking south across the entire Shining Rock Wilderness area. The ridge in the middle is appropriately named The Narrows
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Looking towards the huge mass of Richard Balsam
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View from the summit of Cold Mountain
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Summit benchmark
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Interesting shark looking rock formation along the way
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View of Cold Mountain in the morning fog from Hemphill Bald in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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View of Cold Mountain from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 412
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View from downtown Asheville. The prominent peak on the left is Mount Pisgah. The prominent peak on the right is Cold Mountain.
