Art Loeb Spur Trail Map

Route map of the Art Loeb Spur Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Art Loeb Spur Trail Map

Route map of the Art Loeb Spur Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Black Balsam Road Trailhead -- 5,800'

The Black Balsam Road Trailhead and Black Balsam Knob tend to get overwhelmed with visitors on the weekend, just as a warning. The bottom of the Art Loeb Spur Trail is located a few dozen yards down The Ivestor Gap Trail from the parking area...

Art Loeb Spur/Ivestor Gap Trail Junction -- 5,800'

A couple steps past the steel gate seen in the previous shot the lower end of the Art Loeb Spur Trail breaks right...

Art Loeb Spur/Ivestor Gap Trail Junction -- 5,800'

Looking up the start of the Art Loeb Spur as it leaves the Ivestor Gap Trail...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 5,850'

Though short, the connector trail warms one up quickly as it climbs nearly 300-feet in its quarter-mile length...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 5,900'

Winding through thick forest at first it doesn't take long for the trail to enter more open terrain...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 5,920'

Views of the West Fork Pigeon River Valley start to open up now...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 5,920'

Breaking above the trees the double summit seen closest is that of Sam Knob (6,050') while in the distance to the right is the dark peak of Richland Balsam (6,410'). Another 6,000-footer, Mount Hardy (6,120'), is on the far left...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 5,960'

Leaving the trees completely behind now...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 6,000'

Looking back as the trail emerges onto the open ridge...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 6,000'

The trail reaches the open ridge at a small outcrop offering up this stunning panorama...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 6,040'

Now out in the open the trail continues to seek out the top of the ridge...

Art Loeb Spur Trail -- 6,080'

Gaining the top of the ridge the first views north are enjoyed, where the huge dome of Black Balsam Knob (6,214') dominates...

Art Loeb Spur/Art Loeb Trail Junction -- 6,080'

The Art Loeb Spur (left) as it reaches the Art Loeb Trail itself (right)...

Art Loeb Spur/Art Loeb Trail Junction -- 6,080'

The Art Loeb Spur (left) as it reaches the Art Loeb Trail itself (right)...