Black Balsam-Graveyard Fields Loop, Haywood County (5-27-14)
Read MoreArt Loeb Trail (5,840')
I would start and end the hike at the familiar Art Loeb Trailhead along the Black Balsam Access Road...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,850')
Within a couple hundred yards the trail briefly passes through a grove of firs common at elevations over 5,500'...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,900')
It doesn't take long for the Art Loeb to reward you with some views...this was only a few minutes into the hike...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,900')
This lonely spruce greets you as you start out onto the open bald country of Black Balsam...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,920')
After breaking out into the open the trail first ascends a low knob...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,000')
The designs in the rock up here are always fascinating to look at...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,000')
Gaining a bit of elevation, the western peaks of the Great Balsams start to reveal themselves...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,050')
After making it to the top of the first rocky knob I was provided a great view of the high peaks to the west. Sam Knob (6,050') is the double topped peak in the center with Little Sam Knob (5,862') and Mt. Hardy (6,110') to its left. Above and beyond Sam is the high point of the Great Balsams, Richland Balsam at 6,410'...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,050')
Continuing north the West Fork Pigeon River Valley forms and amazing backdrop to the open ridge I was traveling...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,000')
As I always note up here, erosion is a serious problem...USFS, please do something about this...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,000')
Now to turn my attention to Black Balsam itself...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,150')
Ascending the broad southern shoulder of Black Balsam...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Black Balsam Knob Summit (6,214')
Reaching the summit of Black Balsam I stopped as I always do to pay brief tribute at the plaque memorializing Art Loeb who, as the plaque says, 'Loved these mountains.'
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Black Balsam Knob Summit (6,214')
The summit of Black Balsam is so broad that the best views are only seen from its periphery. The true summit sits a hundred feet or so back from the edges on this broad, grassy dome...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Black Balsam Knob Summit (6,214')
Looking southeast from the top of Black Balsam...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Black Balsam Knob Summit (6,214')
Heading to the north side of the summit, this is the panorama back to the south over the valley of Yellowstone Prong...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Black Balsam Knob Summit (6,214')
Making your way north along the broad summit lawn of Black Balsam, it was easy to feel like you are on top of the world...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,150')
Along the Art Loeb north of Black Balsam...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,050')
Just before descending into the gap between Black Balsam and Tennent are some awesome views down into the valley of Dark Prong. Tennent Mountain, where I was heading next, is in the center...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,950')
Dropping into the gap north of Black Balsam you descend into a thick heath-bald environment dominated by rhododendron, laurel, and huckleberry...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,900')
An extreme example of trail erosion along the Art Loeb north of Black Balsam...this washout was easily 4-5 feet deep...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,900')
Tunneling through the heath to the north of Black Balsam...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,900')
This is gonna be blueberry heaven before long...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,880')
Looking up at Tennent Mountain from the gap just to its south...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,900')
As I began the short climb of Tennent Mountain I couldn't help but occasionally look back over my shoulder at the massive, imposing ridge of Black Balsam Knob...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,950')
Looking ahead to the rocky summit of Tennent Mountain...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,000')
Nearing the top of Tennent looking west. If there's a summit in the southern Appalachians that provides more bang for your hiking buck, I haven't found it yet...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Tennent Mountain Summit (6,040')
The summit plaque of Tennent Mountain looking back towards the broad summit of Black Balsam...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Tennent Mountain Summit (6,040')
Tennent Mountain Summit (6,040') - The yawning chasm of the Dark Prong valley lying between Tennent and Black Balsam...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Tennent Mountain Summit (6,040')
Tennent Mountain Summit (6,040') - Looking north from the summit of Tennent the valley of the West Fork Pigeon River is flanked on the right by the 6,000' wall of the Shining Rock Ridge...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (6,000')
The trail drops off Tennent along the narrow ridge to its west. The trail winds its way along the steep southern face of the ridge providing some stunning views back up to Tennent Mountain and across to Black Balsam...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,900')
Swinging back to the north off the ridge below Tennent, the trail entered its first prolonged wooded section since the beginning of the hike...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,900')
Dropping off the ridge north of Tennent Mountain...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,800')
As the trail neared the gap north of Tennent the trees once again started to give way providing views to the north of Grassy Cove Top (6,040') and the Ivestor Gap area...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,720')
The Art Loeb as it enters the open, unnamed gap to the north of Tennent Mountain. From here its only another half mile or so over the knob in the distance to Ivestor Gap. The plan was to hike to Ivestor and then pick up the Graveyard Ridge Trail for my descent. I instead decided to lop a mile off my hike by bushwhacking down to the GRT from here...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Art Loeb Trail (5,720')
Standing at the gap north of Tennent and looking east, I knew the Graveyard Ridge Trail ran beneath me only a couple tenths of a mile away. The terrain seemed open enough that I wouldn't have too much difficulty getting there...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,600')
After one of the easiest bushwhacks I've ever undertaken I soon emerged onto the Graveyard Ridge Trail which I'd be traveling for the next few miles...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,600')
This rough-looking old Yellow Birch marked my entry point onto the Graveyard Ridge Trail...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,600')
For the first mile or so I followed it, the Graveyard Ridge Trail was suffering from a bit of a drainage problem...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,550')
Tis the season...the Catawba Rhododendron were just starting to show their colors...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,550')
The trail offered just enough openings to keep it interesting. Here, one of the first I passed, looks down into the valley of Greasy Cove Prong with Ivestor Ridge to the right...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,600')
It was evident in places that this trail hadn't seen too much traffic as yet this season...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,550')
I was quite excited to find this beautiful bloom of azaleas along the trail. I believe they are the rare Pinkshell Azalea, (Rhododendron vaseyi), which is endemic to the high peaks of North Carolina...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,500')
As the trail passed to the south side of Ivestor Ridge Black Balsam Knob once again made its presence known...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,500')
There were a number of these drainage pipes crossing the trail south of Ivestor Gap. In various degrees of decay, they seemed to be doing very little to actually aid drainage and kind of puzzled me as to why the USFS is just leaving them out here to rot...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,500')
As the trail swings into the valley of Dark Prong the high ramparts of Tennent and Black Balsam Knob rose above the trees...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald
Graveyard Ridge Trail (5,480')
Black Balsam Knob, now some 800' above me, from along the Graveyard Ridge Trail near Dark Prong...
Pisgah National ForestPisgah Ranger DistrictBlue Ridge ParkwayArt LoebSouthern Sixerwildflowerwaterfallsouthern baldBrevardWaynesvilleCantonloggingwildfireShining RockMountains to Seaheath bald