John Rock, Transylvania County (2-18-13) - dwhike

John Rock Cliffs

John Rock (3,320') is one of three plutons that rise from Pisgah National Forest north of Brevard. The little brother, so-to-speak of nearby Looking Glass Rock (3,969'), John Rock is a bit less busy option for a hike that offers the same outstanding views as Looking Glass. This isn't to say you'll be alone, however. This is an extremely popular hike, especially in the summer. Access to the summit cliffs is via the Cat Gap Loop Trail, which makes a 4-mile loop around the mountain, and the 1.8-mile John Rock Trail which passes over the summit.

The hike begins and ends at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education & Fish Hatchery off NC-475 north of Brevard. I'd be hiking the loop in a clockwise direction, saving the steepest parts of the route for the descent. Despite gaining over 1,000' in elevation the climb to the top is never very strenuous and offers some of the finest views in the National Forest as well as a couple waterfalls as a bonus. On this cool winter morning I was the only hiker at the trailhead so I'd have this amazing area all to myself. So, off we go on one of the premier hikes in the Pisgah Ranger District of western North Carolina...

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.284411, -82.791026

Hike Length: 5.0 miles Hike Duration: 3:00

Trailhead Temp: 45'F

Min. Elevation: 2,390' Max. Elevation: 3,320'

Total Vertical Gain: 1,150' Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile: 230'

John Rock, Transylvania County (2-18-13)

Cat Gap Loop Trail
Club Moss...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
A short distance past the upper stream crossing the trail passes underneath a large grove of White Pine...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
For the rest of the trip stream crossings were all bridged...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
An uncommonly placid stretch of creek...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
Streamside sounds...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
A nice reminder that I'm still on the right path...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
When you pass a large campsite below the trail along Cedar Rock Creek, head on down as there's something you'll want to see...
Upper Cedar Rock Creek Falls
See? Just upstream from the campsite in the previous shot is this pretty little unnamed waterfall on Cedar Rock Creek...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
Back on the trail, a short distance down from the campsite, an easily-missed spur trail heads downhill to yet another highlight of the loop...
Cedar Rock Creek Falls
Clifftop views and waterfalls make for a very well-rounded hike...pictured here is Cedar Rock Creek Falls...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
Past the falls the trail heads more steeply downhill as it makes its way to the hatchery...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
Arriving back at civilization...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
A large bridge takes you across the final crossing of Cedar Rock Creek...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
I knew I was almost back when the trail started following the fish hatchery fence line...
Cat Gap Loop Trail
The loop closes out at the opposite end of the fish hatchery parking area...
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
Back at the fish hatchery, another classic western North Carolina hike complete.
Pisgah National Forest Looking Glass pluton Blue Ridge Appalachian Brevard Cradle of Forestry Great Blasams Pisgah rock climbing waterfall hatchery Civilian Conservation Corps CCC