Five Day Getaway: Backpacking and Rafting the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina

The Young Adventurers Fund is offering adults 18-35 years old a full $300 off this trip. Visit our scholarships page to apply.

The Trip

The Asheville, NC area is an area of contrasts -- from its origins as a mountain resort for local dignitaries and statesmen, to its history as a bohemian art colony, to its current eclectic blend of outdoor culture, history, vibrant small businesses, and popular eateries. Surrounded by the half-million-acre cloak of Pisgah National Forest, this trip offers the opportunity to experience many facets of the area in a short, bite-sized adventure.

Following an opportunity to experience local cuisine near the metro area, we will move to the “wild” side. We will spend the night in a campground near Asheville proper, and head out the following morning into the Shining Rock Wilderness for a three-day, two-night adventure. Located in the heart of Pisgah National Forest, this area is the largest designated Wilderness area of North Carolina, and is named for the micaceous rock outcroppings in the area. We’ll be covering part of Art Loeb Trail, Pisgah’s long trail of 30.1 miles, which cuts through the heart of this wilderness and traces several iconic peaks: Cold Mountain, Tennant Mountain, and Black Balsam Knob, all part of the Balsam range. Originally part of the Cherokee Nation, this area was heavily logged in the early 20^th century. The logging and later forest fires laid bare some of the summits in the area, making for expansive views across the Park. Nowadays, it hosts some of the most scenic and rugged areas of the state. Deer, rattlesnakes, rabbits, bobcats and black bear all call this area “home." Our group will be tracing the northernmost section of the Art Loeb, covering fairly rugged terrain from the northern trailhead at the Daniel Boone Scout Camp and traveling south to just past Black Balsam Knob. We will have the opportunity to summit fabled Cold Mountain, either at the end of our first day of hiking when we camp at Deep Gap (only 3.8 miles, but steeply graded) -- or perhaps we may choose to summit in the morning and catch sunrise. We will then hike south through Shining Rock Gap, where we will again make camp. From there, we head south across Tennant Mountain, over Black Balsam Knob, and finally turn off to catch our shuttle to a campground near the French Broad River, where we will be overnighting. We will be rewarded with a hot meal and hot showers. The next morning, we will meet our outfitter for a half-day rafting trip to end the adventure. 

Five days, but each one packed with adventure and memories of a visit to one of the most rugged and beautiful areas in the East. Come join us!

Day 1: Van transport is available to and from the Asheville airport; or for those driving, we will meet up at a campground near the Asheville metro area. We will set up camp, and then our van shuttle will take us to a local popular eatery/microbrewery for dinner (cost of this meal is NOT included in the trip price). Campground fees are covered for the group; we will have several sites reserved and will be sharing the space.

Day 2: After a warm and hearty camp breakfast, we will break camp, load up our backpacks, and head out in our shuttle van for the trailhead at the northern end of the Art Loeb Trail at the Daniel Boone Scout Camp. We should be on trail before lunch, and will eat lunch on trail as we hike the short but steep 3.8 miles to Deep Gap, where we will pass the night in the shadow of Cold Mountain. Depending on the weather, fatigue factors, etc, we may choose to take the short (but again, steep) 1.4-mile trail to the Cold Mountain summit. We will have a hearty backcountry supper, and then head off to our tents.

Day 3: Fortified with a great breakfast, we may choose to summit Cold Mountain for a beautiful morning’s scene if we have not done so the previous day. We will then head south on the Art Loeb, gaining elevation toward a narrow ridge aptly called The Narrows, to Stairs Mountain (5,869 feet), then head for Shining Rock Gap (about 4 miles or so). We will have plenty of time to scout for good campsites, and hopefully have some time to explore the area around Shining Rock Gap, Flower Gap, and Grassy Cove, where several other trails converge. Again, after another hearty meal, we will retire to the sounds of the woods for another night.

Day 4: Upon rising and breaking camp, we continue to head south on the AL and cross two decent summits (both above 6,000 feet): Tennent Mountain and Black Balsam Knob -- both have balds that allow expansive views across the forest. Today’s mileage will be about 3.5 miles, but with elevation. After Black Balsam, we will take a side trail west to Black Balsam Road, where we meet our shuttle. From there, we head to another campground near the French Broad River where we can shower, clean up, set up tents, and have a post-hike dinner to remember.

Day 5: After breakfast, we’ll break camp, pack a light lunch, and again head out in the shuttle to the outfitters, where we will have a half-day rafting trip on the French Broad River. Following the rafting, we will lunch at the grounds. All too soon it will be time to shuttle everyone back to their cars/airport. 

Getting There

Asheville is an easy drive from many eastern cities and also hosts a decently sized airport with regular flights. Specifics regarding the campground on day one will be forwarded to those who sign up, as will information about long-term parking for drivers who will be leaving their cars for several days. Trip rosters can be shared among the group to allow for ride-sharing, and our shuttle will transport the group while on-trip. 

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Dinner on day one is NOT included, but all meals from breakfast on day two through lunch on day five are included. The backcountry meals (days two through four) will be carried in bear canisters, which the leaders will provide, in accordance with the Pisgah National Forest’s backcountry rules. All food, cooking equipment, fuel, etc are provided, and all group participants will be carrying a share of this with their own personal gear. Meals are hearty, filling and nutritious. Vegetarians can be easily accommodated; however, if you avoid dairy or nuts, this may not be the trip for you. All water in the backcountry must be purified. We will filter all water used for drinking and use chlorine-based purification.

Plan to work together to make camp, prepare, and clean up meals. The trip leaders have guided many trips and really like to cook and eat, so count on interesting, varied, and nutritious meals. There will be plenty of food. If participants wish, they can bring their own additional between-meal snacks, which must fit into bear cans. We will do our best to accommodate vegetarians and medical dietary restrictions. Those with challenging restrictions may be asked to bring or prepare some of their own food to supplement group food. Please contact the leader if you require accommodation.

Backcountry campsites will NOT have pit toilets. Leaders will have trowels and will give direction for proper waste disposal. Campgrounds used on day one and day four will have plumbing facilities.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is a 3 on a scale of 1-5, meaning moderately difficult. The distances we hike on our three days out are relatively short, but the trail in this area is rugged and steep in places. Good hikers will appreciate the challenges, novice hikers need to take note and prepare themselves accordingly. We will be breaking regularly for water, etc. For a new-to-backpacking participant, this will be a challenge but not insurmountable, but good physical condition is a must.

Equipment and Clothing

Leaders will provide a list of required gear and suggested gear for all participants well in advance of the trip. Absolutes will include a backpack large enough to accommodate all your personal gear, plus about 8-10 pounds of extra gear (food, equipment, etc), and bear canisters are bulky! Other absolutes: sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots (preferably waterproof); tent; sleeping pad and bag; rain protection; extra socks; and lightweight layers for warmth. Trekking poles are recommended.

Temperatures in this region are rather unpredictable, but it tends to be in the upper 40s to mid 70s at this time of year, and you can expect to see some rain as a rule. Let’s just hope for the best!

References

Book:

• Homan, Tim, Hiking the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness. Peachtree Publishers.

Maps:

• Pisgah Ranger District/Pisgah National Forest
• National Geographic Maps – Trails Illustrated

Conservation

Logging has always been a threat to the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. Historically, these areas were heavily logged in the early 20^th century, denuding mountainsides and exposing the threat of erosion of valuable topsoil from the already rocky soil. Major wildfires in the early and mid-1900s left large “balds” in their wake. As recently as 2015, the National Forest Service began discussion to open some 400,000 acres of forest in both Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests to logging.

Further, there has been proposed legislation (Roadless Area Release Act) to remove Wilderness protections for 58+ million acres across the nation, among roadless wilderness areas. This would open these areas to potential development, which in turn would diminish wildlife habitat, threaten water quality, and reduce areas open for recreation to those seeking the experience of the deep wilderness.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.