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23-668: Within the wilderness, the Art Loeb Trail can be followed to the base of Cold Mountain , where a spur trail leads to the summit . Cold Mountain is the namesake of a historical fiction novel by Charles Frazier , and its film adaptation ; both are set in the time of the American Civil War . Due to conflicts with black bears , in 2015 the Forest Service implemented a requirement for all overnight campers to carry bear-resistant canisters . Canisters are required year-round in

46-750: A long-distance trail in the US for hiking and backpacking, that traverses North Carolina from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks . Its western endpoint is at Kuwohi , where it connects to the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park . Its eastern endpoint is in Jockey's Ridge State Park on the tallest sand dune on the east coast. The trail is envisioned as

69-511: A scenic backbone of an interconnected trail system spanning the state. As such, its route attempts to connect as many trail systems and natural scenic areas as practicable. A little over half of the trail is complete in multiple segments across the state. The Mountains-to-Sea State Park Trail was made an official land-based unit of the state park system by the North Carolina General Assembly on August 2, 2000. Since that time,

92-741: A short distance off the Sauratown Trail. Camping inside the North Carolina State Parks is only allowed at permissible camping sites and campgrounds. Large sections of the Falls Lake State Recreation Area and neighboring public lands managed by the Army Corps of Engineers also prohibit camping. Stealth camping or any illegal camping along the MST is highly discouraged. Possible citations and fines may be enforced if such camping

115-550: Is Cedar Rock, a large granite outcropping. In addition, Shining Rock and its cluster of quartz boulders can be encountered via a side trail. The trail sees many hikers taking advantage of the trail's proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville , in addition to literary enthusiasts exploring Cold Mountain. Hikers around in the northern part of the trail in the Shining Rock Wilderness should be prepared, as

138-653: Is a part of the North Carolina State Trails System, which is a section of NCDPR and, by January 2019, 669 miles (1,077 km) of trail had been designated as a part of the MST by NCDPR. The segments of MST along the Blue Ridge Parkway were designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2005. The MST has the distinction of being the highest elevation long-distance trail in the eastern United States as it crosses Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet (2,037 m). The MST incorporates several other notable trails as part of its route. Hikers should be aware that

161-680: Is at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp in Haywood County , while the trail's southern terminus is located near the Davidson River Campground, near Brevard , in Transylvania County . Along the way, the trail traverses several significant peaks, including Black Balsam Knob (6,214 ft), Tennent Mountain (6040 ft) and Pilot Mountain (5095 ft). The trail also passes the base of Cold Mountain , made famous by

184-465: Is found by the managing land agency. The MST as a State Trail unit of the state park system encompasses 691 acres (280 ha) of land in three tracts. The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR) leases each of these tracts to local governments for operation as nature parks. Shallow Ford Natural Area consists of 191 acres (77 ha) located in Alamance County along the banks of

207-518: The Blue Ridge Parkway corridor is prohibited except for permissible parkway campgrounds ( Doughton Park , Julian Price Park, Linville Falls , Crabtree Meadows and Mt. Pisgah ). In some areas, hikers can cross the BRP boundary lines into the Nantalhala and Pisgah National Forests to camp at well-established campsites. Planning is being done to create designated, private campsites for the MST on parkway land, but

230-629: The Haw River , and it is managed by the Alamance County Recreation and Parks Department . The natural area has a small, volunteer built trail network, which includes the MST, a few primitive campsites, a canoe access and a picnic area. The natural area was acquired to help fill in a gap in the MST. The Richardson-Taylor Preserve , formally known as the Morton-Richardson Tract , is a new 440-acre (180 ha) nature preserve that

253-472: The novel and film . National Geographic Adventure listed the trail as one of the thirty best North American hikes. They praised the views offered on the high Appalachian Balds , the challenging climbs, and the trail's diverse landscape. Originally part of the Cherokee Nation , the area was heavily logged in the early part of the 20th century. The Art Loeb Trail was dedicated on November 9, 1969. It

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276-704: The Clayton River Walk which serves as an extension of the Neuse River Trail into Johnston County , and it is also utilized as part of the East Coast Greenway 's route. NCDPR owns the northernmost property the River Walk crosses. The trail currently passes or is planned to pass through several notable natural areas in North Carolina. This list notes them from west to east: These are images of or along

299-582: The Mountains-To-Sea State Trail does contain camping restrictions across its route. Hikers should research and follow all rules and regulations for camping, as the MST does cross through lands managed by various public and private land agencies and individuals. In the mountain section, starting in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , camping is allowed at permissible campsites with a back-country permit. The GSMNP back-country office can provide permit and reservation information. Camping within

322-673: The Wilderness Area and south of it to the Blue Ridge Parkway . 35°21′18″N 82°50′38″W  /  35.35500°N 82.84389°W  / 35.35500; -82.84389 This article about a location in Haywood County , North Carolina is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Art Loeb Trail The Art Loeb Trail is a 30.1-mile (48.4 km) hiking trail located in Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina . The northern terminus

345-513: The entire trail is held on the Winter Solstice . The Art Loeb Trail intersects with several trails, Mountains-to-Sea Trail , Farlow Gap , Butter Gap Trail, the Estatoe Trail, and others. 35°16′42″N 82°51′58″W  /  35.2784403°N 82.8662413°W  / 35.2784403; -82.8662413 Mountains-to-Sea Trail The Mountains-to-Sea State Trail ( MST ) is

368-453: The hiker include steep ascents and descents, exposed hiking on high Appalachian Balds, and few water supply points. It is recommended to have a life straw and gravity filter to maximize the minimal water supply points. To complete the entire trail, most guides recommend either three or four days. There are several backcountry camp spots throughout the trail, with primitive shelters at Deep Gap and Butter Gap. Starting in 2001, an adventure run of

391-709: The only backpack site currently open is in Julian Price Park. On the North Carolina Piedmont section of the MST, camping is not permitted along the Sauratown Trail section (from Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock State Parks) since the trail is managed and maintained on land leased from private landowners. A list of nearby campgrounds and lodging is maintained on the Sauratown Trails Association website. There are three privately managed campgrounds

414-468: The state trail unit has grown to encompass 691 acres (280 ha) in three tracts and 87 acres (35 ha) in conservation easements . Each of these tracts is leased to local governments for management as nature parks, under the guidance of the NC Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR) . The vast majority of the foot trail is located on lands not directly managed as part of a state park unit. The trail

437-681: The state. Both tracts are intended to be managed together as a buffer for the Greensboro Watershed and as a corridor for the MST to reach Haw River State Park from the watershed trails. The Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department manages the preserve with guidance from the Guildford County Open Space Committee and the NC Division of Parks and Recreation. A third tract was leased to the Town of Clayton for use as part of

460-654: The trails are not marked, and there are no signs. South of Ivestor Gap the trail is outside of the Shining Rock Wilderness, and contains blazes and signs to help with navigation. The trail also shares with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail for a short stretch in the Silvermine Bald area. There are also several side trails that connect to the Art Loeb, including the optional climb up Cold Mountain. Challenges for

483-478: The watchful hiker. While most of the spruce and fir was removed by logging, there are areas where these trees are encountered on the trail. There are significant differences in the landscape from the southern end of the trail compared to the higher elevations. Along the way, the hiker encounters some unique geology. From Pilot Mountain, there's a view of the Looking Glass Rock pluton . Close to Butter Gap

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506-697: Was jointly acquired by the Guilford County Open Space Program and the State of North Carolina. The preserve was acquired in two parts, the Taylor Tract and the Richardson Tract. The 196-acre (79 ha) Taylor Tract was bought by the state park system from the Morton family , who also sold Grandfather Mountain to the state. The Richardson Tract was bought by Guilford County , partly using grants from

529-507: Was named after an avid hiker and Carolina Mountain Club member, who resided in Brevard. Mr. Loeb often explored and cared for the area. Extensive logging and locomotive fires in 1925 and 1942 are the cause for the expansive, open views around Black Balsam Knob. There is a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals in the area. Deer , rattlesnakes , rabbits , black bears and bobcats may be spotted by

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