Editor’s Be aware: This story was printed in our October difficulty earlier than Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina and surrounding areas. Please test with native officers for entry advisories.
Blue Ridge backpackers love the Artwork Loeb Path for the 360-degree views of the encompassing mountains seen whereas climbing this 30.1-mile route that strikes by among the finest terrain in Pisgah Nationwide Forest. However the beautiful sights on this western North Carolina favourite are well-earned. The path’s south-to-north route positive aspects about 8,000 toes in elevation, whereas the north-to-south route requires about 7,300 toes of climbing. Alongside the best way, hikers cross 4 totally different 6,000-foot peaks, together with Black Balsam Knob, which is thought for each its rocky terrain and exquisite vistas. Right here’s a fast information to climbing the Artwork Loeb Path.
Attending to the Path
The Artwork Loeb Path is a point-to-point hike, which suggests which you could both deliver two vehicles or arrange a shuttle to hike the complete path. The latter possibility will be organized with native outfitters like Pura Vida Adventures (pvadventures.com), which additionally provides guided day hikes and backpacking journeys on the path.
Those that select to deliver their very own automobiles normally go away one on the southern finish of the path, on the Davidson River Campground (1 Davidson River Circle, Pisgah Forest, N.C.). The second automotive goes to the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp (3647 Little East Fork Highway, Canton, N.C.). Remember the fact that parking rules usually change within the space. Hikers can usually discover a spot alongside the Little East Fork Highway, south of the Boy Scout Camp.
Mountaineering the Path
The Artwork Loeb Path is usually finest hiked from spring to fall. The rocky, uneven path and steep situations make it a difficult route for even intermediate and superior hikers. Backpackers usually take wherever from two to 5 days to sort out the entire path.
The path is split into 4 segments which might be generally utilized by locals for leisure day use. Part two covers Black Balsam Knob and is usually thought-about to be essentially the most difficult phase, touring 7.2 miles over steep and rocky terrain. Most of part three is above 6,000 toes, giving hikers wonderful views alongside the best way.
Water Sources on the Artwork Loeb
Relying on the time of the season whenever you’re climbing, there are normally about half a dozen water sources alongside the Artwork Loeb Path. Essentially the most accessible sources are positioned on the Butter Hole and Deep Hole Shelters, though the Deep Hole Shelter’s water supply is positioned down a brief facet path.
Throughout the spring and early summer season, hikers can discover streams operating each north and south of campsites close to Black Balsam the place they’ll acquire and filter water. Many have luck at Gloucester Hole (the place a stream is positioned about 250 yards off of the filth highway). Shining Rock Hole additionally encompasses a water supply that’s positioned a brief stroll down a set of steps.
Tenting on the Artwork Loeb
Tenting is pretty straightforward to search out alongside the Artwork Loeb Path, however it does get busy and even refill throughout the summer season. Not one of the campsites alongside the path require reservations, as a substitute working on a first-come-first-serve foundation. Many hikers select to camp at or round Butter Hole and Deep Hole Shelters as a result of quick access to water. There are additionally a handful of dry campsites positioned north of Black Balsam, and various pretty developed campsites alongside the path. Pisgah Nationwide Forest’s dispersed tenting tips apply on this area.
Different Issues You Want to Know
Cellphone service is unpredictable and infrequently unavailable alongside the path. Because of this, it’s vital to obtain regional maps earlier than setting out, and take into account carrying paper maps for the journey. Whereas a lot of the path is straightforward to comply with, there are a couple of locations the place path intersections make it doable to get off-route.
The path is dog-friendly, however pets have to be stored on leash, and needless to say bears frequent the world. Because of this, when tenting alongside the Artwork Loeb, bear canisters are required. A number of native outfitters supply bear canisters for each buy and hire, together with French Broad Outfitters (canisters run $9 per day) and Blue Ridge Mountaineering Co. (the place they price $25 for the primary day and $5 for consecutive days). The Forest Service additionally provides a first-come-first-serve canister borrowing program that’s legitimate for as much as seven days at a time.