Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, Grassy Cove Top, & Shining Rock, NC (8.0 miles; d=11.65)
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My (approximate) route...
My (approximate) route...
The parking area for the Black Balsam Area is just a wide area along FR 816 about a half-mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Art Loeb Trail, which I'll follow for most of the hike crosses the road here.
The Art Loeb Trail leaves the parking area and immediately enters a thick grove of Balsam trees.
Within a quarter-mile you break out of the trees into the open. This view appears off to your right. You can see the Blue Ridge Parkway winding its way along the ridge 500 feet below.
The Art Loeb Trail heads over this rocky ridge as you ascend Black Balsam Knob.
After breaking out of the trees you get your first look at Black Balsam Knob, a half-mile away.
At the top of the ridge in the previous photo views open up to the south. I believe the prominent peak to the left of center is Chestnut Bald(6040').
From the Art Loeb/summit trail split the views to the south and west are spectacular. The twin-peaked mountain closest is Sam Knob(6040'). Beyond rises the Great Balsam Range.
Looking 2000' down into the Middle Prong Wilderness from the Art Loeb/summit trail split. Beyond, rising to 6410' at Richland Balsam(aka. Balsam Cone) is the Great Balsam Range.
From the first rocky outcrop the trail drops slightly before ascending the main summit of Black Balsam Knob. The Art Loeb Trail officially heads to the left around the the summit as seen here. I would be taking the unofficial, but more heavily used, trail on the right to the summit.
This sign is found just above where the unofficial summit trail splits from the Art Loeb Trail.
The trail to the summit of Black Balsam Knob is steep and rocky, as you can see here.
Looking back at the busy Art Loeb Trail as it approches Black Balsam Knob.
Black Balsam Knob Summit - 6,214'
The commemorative Art Loeb Trail plaque at the summit of Black Balsam Knob with the Blue Ridge Parkway in the distance.
Black Balsam Knob Summit - 6,214'
I am a little confused as to why this plaque is here. On maps and the previously photographed trail sign, the Art Loeb Trail is marked as circling to the west of Black Balsam's summit. Whatever the reason, it is a fitting spot for a tribute to this beautiful trail.
Black Balsam Knob Summit - 6,214'
The broad, flat, grassy summit of Black Balsam Knob.
Black Balsam Knob Summit - 6,214'
Camping regulations in the National Forest are very lax. This affords the hiker the opportunity to select a very scenic campsite, as seen here at the summit of Black Balsam.
Tennent Mountain, next in line, as seen on the descent from Black Balsam Knob.
Richland Balsam, the high peak of the Great Balsam Mountains, rises to over 6400' across the Middle Prong Wilderness. From Black Balsam summit.
Looking ahead to the rest of the hike. The remaining three peaks I will hike today are pictured here. Tennent Mt is the rocky peak closest. Grassy Cove Top is the greenish peak behind Tennent. Shining Rock Mt with its signature white rocks is easily seen beyond.
Green rhododendron and red huckleberry bushes made for very pretyy surroundings as I descended to the gap between Black Balsam and Tennent Mountains.
I noticed in each of the gaps I passed through along this hike the soil would become very sandy. Very strange.
Tennent Mountain from the unnamed gap between it and Black Balsam.
