This is my favorite hike. Of all the hikes in the Pisgah Ranger District, this is the one that renews my sense of adventure. Every time! However, it ain’t easy, and it requires commitment. Everything good thing has its price.
We start at the Looking Glass Overlook and hike down the MST spur trail to the Drinking Elk, then take a social trail up to the Parkway. After crossing the Parkway, we continue up the Pisgah Ridge. We pop out of the woods at the John Rock Overlook, cross the Parkway again, summit a small hill, and cross the Parkway once again. After continuing our ascent, Pisgah Ridge then flattens out after Fork River Bald to a gentle walk, and hiking doesn’t get much better than this.
We pop out of the woods again at FSR 816, cross the Parkway at the gate, which is closed, and take yet another social trail up to Art Loeb. This half-mile section is a bit wild and crazy, and the trails gives out in places. It’s then Art Loeb through the bald and then the Red Spruce Forest after which we cross FSR 816 to take the MST up to Lunch Rocks. This area has some of the best but least know views in the area, at least as good as Black Balsam and Tennent. We look up to Balsam and Tennent and overlook the Ivester Gap, Graveyard Fields, and Graveyard Ridge. This is also the halfway point.
On the back side of Graveyard Ridge, it’s the MST through both open sky and forest canopy over tricky and smooth trails down (often steep) to where Skinny Dip Falls used to be. After crossing the Pigeon, we hike up and out and back to the Drinking Elk and Looking Glass Overlook.
The parkway is in fine shape (thank you maintenance crews), and after six months it’s a joy to revisit this area. The trails are surprising free of Helene damage. As of last week, spring is still just a hint, but early wildflowers (e.g., trout lilies) were in abundance. We still have winter views, but not for long, and they are some of the best and least seen that Pisgah has to offer.
Caveats
- Experienced hikers only, please.
- This is a scratchy hike. Long sleeves and long pants are a must.
- Hiking poles highly recommended—much of the footing is tricky and tiring.
- Bring plenty of water and adequate food.
- Weather gear a good idea.
- No dogs. These are not dog friendly trails.
GPX: Copy the gpx so you’ll know where you are at all times:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.1/-82.8522/35.3225&trackId=fbb433c0-466a-4840-861b-8a011d53f550
Parking: Looking Glass Overlook aka Skinny Dip Falls trailhead. Access from north Ashville is via NC 151 or US 276. From the south, it’s US 276. It a bit of a drive with the Parkway closed between Brevard Road and Pisgah Road.
Distance: approx. 9.5 miles
Ascent: per Gaia: approx. 1,800 feet
Hiking time: 5 to 5.5 hours
Pace: approx 2.0 mph
*Big hikes are those that are further away than our Bent Creek hikes and are longer and are more difficult; ergo, they require a big time commitment. Closer hikes along the BRP and/or on the MST are still not accessible, indeed some are being "re-closed," so we must go further afield. We want more hike-time than drive-time, so the hikes are longer.
Release of Liability:
The organizer of this trip is a volunteer and not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. If you sign up or participate in this event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries, illnesses, and damages arising from, as a result of, and associated with this event. In addition, you acknowledge that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms
