Ice recently fallen from the surrounding trees made for a slick trail near the summit - 6020'

Looking north and 3500' down to the community of Bethel, where I lived at the time. - 6010'

You couldn't go off trail if you tried in some places near the summit of Cold Mountain - 6000'

This photo traces the Art Loeb Trail south. Deep Gap is in the lower right. From there the trail follows the ridge to its highpoint at Shining Rock Mt (6040'), center. Behind Shining Rock the route is obscured but the Art Loeb ends up crossing Black Balsam Knob(6412'), center distance. The twin summits of Sam Knob(6040') are visible to the right in the distance - 6000'

From the rock outcrop a couple hundred yards below the summit you get a good view back up to the summit. This shot gives you a good idea of the terrain and flora in this area - 6000'

A couple hundred yards back down the trail from the summit is a rock outcrop with outstanding views similar to that at the summit. Here is the view west - 6000'

This is a shot of the rock outcrop you'll pass a couple hundred yards below the summit. The views here are amazing as you can see in the previous photos - 6000'

I reluctantly decide its time to make the descent back to civilization. Looking west from the summit ridge of Cold Mountain - 5900'