Cold Mountian, NC (12-10-05)

The view of Cold Mountain from along NC-215 south of Canton - 2750'

2009-01-09T05:19:01Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The view of Cold Mountain from along NC-215 south of Canton - 2750'

Cold Mountain rises beyond this old barn along Little East Fork Rd not far from Camp Daniel Boone - 3100'

2009-01-09T05:17:12Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Cold Mountain rises beyond this old barn along Little East Fork Rd not far from Camp Daniel Boone - 3100'

The Art Loeb Trailhead is located on the property of Camp Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp - 3200'

2009-01-09T05:15:24Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The Art Loeb Trailhead is located on the property of Camp Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp - 3200'

Parking for the Art Loeb Trail is along the rocky shoulder between the road and the river - 3240'

2009-01-09T05:17:56Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Parking for the Art Loeb Trail is along the rocky shoulder between the road and the river - 3240'

The rushing Little East Fork, adjacent to the Art Loeb Parking Area - 3240'

2009-01-09T05:20:14Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The rushing Little East Fork, adjacent to the Art Loeb Parking Area - 3240'

With the leaves off the trees you are treated to views all the way up, albeit through the trees. For the first mile the views are across to 5200' Fork Mountain - 3500'

2009-01-09T05:19:57Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
With the leaves off the trees you are treated to views all the way up, albeit through the trees. For the first mile the views are across to 5200' Fork Mountain - 3500'

Within 50 yards of the road you enter Shining Rock Wilderness. This means the trails you will be following from here will be unblazed and rugged. Take a map and BE PREPARED! - 3250'

2009-01-09T05:19:05Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Within 50 yards of the road you enter Shining Rock Wilderness. This means the trails you will be following from here will be unblazed and rugged. Take a map and BE PREPARED! - 3250'

The Art Loeb Trail begins beyond this information kiosk and quickly heads uphill - 3240'

2009-01-09T05:17:04Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The Art Loeb Trail begins beyond this information kiosk and quickly heads uphill - 3240'

Nothing special here, just thought this vine was interesting. This is a typical view of the forest at the lower elevations of this hike - 3540'

2009-01-09T05:17:21Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Nothing special here, just thought this vine was interesting. This is a typical view of the forest at the lower elevations of this hike - 3540'

About a mile up the Art Loeb the trail very briefly follows an old logging road - 3600'

2009-01-09T05:16:21Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
About a mile up the Art Loeb the trail very briefly follows an old logging road - 3600'

One of numerous blowdowns I encountered between the camp and Deep Gap - 4020'

2009-01-09T05:19:54Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
One of numerous blowdowns I encountered between the camp and Deep Gap - 4020'

About a mile and a half into the hike I rounded a ridge and got my first view through the trees of my destination...still 2000' above me - 3920'

2009-01-09T05:18:35Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
About a mile and a half into the hike I rounded a ridge and got my first view through the trees of my destination...still 2000' above me - 3920'

This stream, a branch of Sorrell Creek, marks the approximate halfway point between Camp Daniel Boone and Deep Gap - 3920'

2009-01-09T05:19:09Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
This stream, a branch of Sorrell Creek, marks the approximate halfway point between Camp Daniel Boone and Deep Gap - 3920'

About a half mile above the first old logging road you again breifly follows another road before again heading uphill - 4100'

2009-01-09T05:19:37Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
About a half mile above the first old logging road you again breifly follows another road before again heading uphill - 4100'

A closeup of a pretty cascade you pass as you cross another branch of Sorrell Creek - 4000'

2009-01-09T05:15:50Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
A closeup of a pretty cascade you pass as you cross another branch of Sorrell Creek - 4000'

As you gain elevation the forest begins to alternate between open hardwoods and thick tangles of Rhododendron - 4120'

2009-01-09T05:16:18Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
As you gain elevation the forest begins to alternate between open hardwoods and thick tangles of Rhododendron - 4120'

The higher you go the more narrow the Art Loeb gets at times. This made getting around blowdowns a little more tricky - 4120'

2009-01-09T05:18:28Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The higher you go the more narrow the Art Loeb gets at times. This made getting around blowdowns a little more tricky - 4120'

You cross 3 or 4 of these pretty little streams as you climb the Art Loeb. The amount of debris surrounding them tells you these streams are not always so tame - 4200'

2009-01-09T05:18:14Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
You cross 3 or 4 of these pretty little streams as you climb the Art Loeb. The amount of debris surrounding them tells you these streams are not always so tame - 4200'

The summit of Cold Mountain was looking closer but still a long ways off. Only another 2.5 miles and 1600 vertical feet to go! 4420'

2009-01-09T05:17:22Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The summit of Cold Mountain was looking closer but still a long ways off. Only another 2.5 miles and 1600 vertical feet to go! 4420'

According to the map Deep Gap was less than a mile off...it looked further than that to me - 4420'

2009-01-09T05:15:42Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
According to the map Deep Gap was less than a mile off...it looked further than that to me - 4420'

As you get higher the 5800' Lickstone Ridge is visible through the trees to the west - 4420'

2009-01-09T05:20:09Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
As you get higher the 5800' Lickstone Ridge is visible through the trees to the west - 4420'

There was more ice along the streams higher up. I just thought this leaf encased in ice was interesting - 4550'

2009-01-09T05:19:36Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
There was more ice along the streams higher up. I just thought this leaf encased in ice was interesting - 4550'

The trail was grinding on me and I had to take a breather less than a quarter mile from Deep Gap. If I read my topo map correctly I think this is a view of Cold Spring Knob(5930') and the Li ...

2009-01-09T05:15:20Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The trail was grinding on me and I had to take a breather less than a quarter mile from Deep Gap. If I read my topo map correctly I think this is a view of Cold Spring Knob(5930') and the Li ...

The Art Loeb as it approaches Deep Gap does get quite rocky but this section was especially rough - 4650'

2009-01-09T05:20:26Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The Art Loeb as it approaches Deep Gap does get quite rocky but this section was especially rough - 4650'

The Art Loeb Trail finally gains the ridge at Deep Gap. Here the Art Loeb turns right(south) and the Cold Mountain Trail heads left(north) - 5020'

2009-01-09T05:12:12Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The Art Loeb Trail finally gains the ridge at Deep Gap. Here the Art Loeb turns right(south) and the Cold Mountain Trail heads left(north) - 5020'

At Deep Gap the Art Loeb Trail heads south beyond the downed tree in the center of the photo - 5040'

2009-01-09T05:14:39Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
At Deep Gap the Art Loeb Trail heads south beyond the downed tree in the center of the photo - 5040'

The start of the Cold Mountain Trail as it heads north from Deep Gap - 5040'

2009-01-09T05:18:10Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The start of the Cold Mountain Trail as it heads north from Deep Gap - 5040'

Once on the ridge you get views to the east. Mt. Pisgah(5721') is the pointed peak in the center - 5280'

2009-01-09T05:17:56Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Once on the ridge you get views to the east. Mt. Pisgah(5721') is the pointed peak in the center - 5280'

In Shining Rock Wilderness you are hard pressed to find a blaze on a tree or a trail sign but here, near the summit of Cold Mountain, a piece of PVC has been installed in the rock to assist ...

2009-01-09T05:17:01Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
In Shining Rock Wilderness you are hard pressed to find a blaze on a tree or a trail sign but here, near the summit of Cold Mountain, a piece of PVC has been installed in the rock to assist ...

As you ascend the ridge you get glimpses through the trees up to the rocky summit ridge - 5300'

2009-01-09T05:20:16Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
As you ascend the ridge you get glimpses through the trees up to the rocky summit ridge - 5300'

This interesting rock formation towers at least 25' high above the trail not far from the summit ridge - 5500'

2009-01-09T05:16:43Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
This interesting rock formation towers at least 25' high above the trail not far from the summit ridge - 5500'

The view west across West Fork Pigeon River valley to Lickstone Ridge - 5680'

2009-01-09T05:17:40Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The view west across West Fork Pigeon River valley to Lickstone Ridge - 5680'

As you climb higher along the summit ridge the views behind you open up. The high ridge in the distance is the Lickstone Ridge, the westernmost extension of the Great Balsam Mountains. I bel ...

2009-01-09T05:18:44Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
As you climb higher along the summit ridge the views behind you open up. The high ridge in the distance is the Lickstone Ridge, the westernmost extension of the Great Balsam Mountains. I bel ...

Countless peaks and ridges stretch out to the western horizon. Not far from the summit of Cold Mountain - 5900'

2009-01-09T05:19:45Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Countless peaks and ridges stretch out to the western horizon. Not far from the summit of Cold Mountain - 5900'

Early in the 20th century Cold Mountain was a grassy bald. The animals that kept the mountain cleared are gone and, as you can see, the forest has reclaimed the upper reaches of the mountain ...

2009-01-09T05:16:59Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Early in the 20th century Cold Mountain was a grassy bald. The animals that kept the mountain cleared are gone and, as you can see, the forest has reclaimed the upper reaches of the mountain ...

The town of Canton and its disgusting, polluting paper mill are clearly visible through the trees to the north as you approach the summit - 5940'

2009-01-09T05:19:30Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The town of Canton and its disgusting, polluting paper mill are clearly visible through the trees to the north as you approach the summit - 5940'

As you top out near the summit the foliage closes in - 5950'

2009-01-09T05:18:25Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
As you top out near the summit the foliage closes in - 5950'

As I near it, the summit appears above the brush - 5900'

2009-01-09T05:12:11Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
As I near it, the summit appears above the brush - 5900'

SUMMIT - The USGS benchmark is on a large rock on the right of the trail. Its easily visible as seen here - 6030'

2009-01-09T05:17:09Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
SUMMIT - The USGS benchmark is on a large rock on the right of the trail. Its easily visible as seen here - 6030'

Within a few hundred yards of the summit the trail breaks into the open as it skirts the south edge of the summit ridge - 6000'

2009-01-09T05:17:41Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Within a few hundred yards of the summit the trail breaks into the open as it skirts the south edge of the summit ridge - 6000'

Looking out over Deep Gap to the Great Balsams beyond - 6010'

2009-01-09T05:17:38Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Looking out over Deep Gap to the Great Balsams beyond - 6010'

Looking south and slightly east across the East Fork Pigeon River Valley. The Blue Ridge is the ridgline farther away - 6030'

2009-01-09T05:16:50Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Looking south and slightly east across the East Fork Pigeon River Valley. The Blue Ridge is the ridgline farther away - 6030'

Cold Mountain summit - 6030'

2009-01-09T05:14:38Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Cold Mountain summit - 6030'

This photo shows the route I followed up. Camp Daniel Boone is located in the valley behind the first ridge. The numerous "creases" in the mountain slope mark the streams crossed on the way ...

2009-01-09T05:13:23Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
This photo shows the route I followed up. Camp Daniel Boone is located in the valley behind the first ridge. The numerous "creases" in the mountain slope mark the streams crossed on the way ...

This is the view to the east of Frying Pan Mountain(5320') on the Blue Ridge - 6030'

2009-01-09T05:18:32Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
This is the view to the east of Frying Pan Mountain(5320') on the Blue Ridge - 6030'

The view looking west across the West Fork Pigeon River Valley to the Great Balsam Mountains - 6030'

2009-01-09T05:17:17Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The view looking west across the West Fork Pigeon River Valley to the Great Balsam Mountains - 6030'

Looking down the ridge climbed by the Cold Mountain Trail to Deep Gap, 1000' below - 6030'

2009-01-09T05:16:26Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Looking down the ridge climbed by the Cold Mountain Trail to Deep Gap, 1000' below - 6030'

The view south of the Shining Rock Wilderness is awesome. The photo just doesn't do it justice. Shining Rock Mtn(6040') is in the foreground. Its famous white quartz is hidden on the far sid ...

2009-01-09T05:15:35Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
The view south of the Shining Rock Wilderness is awesome. The photo just doesn't do it justice. Shining Rock Mtn(6040') is in the foreground. Its famous white quartz is hidden on the far sid ...

My been-there-done-that photo for Cold Mountain - 6030'

2009-01-09T05:15:20Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
My been-there-done-that photo for Cold Mountain - 6030'

Another shot of the summit area. Sam Knob(6040') is visible in the over-exposed distance - 6030'

2009-01-09T05:15:11Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Another shot of the summit area. Sam Knob(6040') is visible in the over-exposed distance - 6030'

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

2009-01-09T05:11:58Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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'

2009-01-09T05:10:13Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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'

2009-01-09T05:10:02Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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 th ...

2009-01-09T05:14:10Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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 th ...

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'

2009-01-09T05:09:32Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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'

2009-01-09T05:11:27Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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'

2009-01-09T05:09:10Z

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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'

2009-01-09T05:10:07Z

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