View Full Version : Best Place to Park for long hike in Shining Rock
Greetings,
This is my first post here at WhiteBlaze...... it is an awesome resource for all things backpacking-related. I am planning a 3-4 day backpacking trip during the week through Shining Rock/Middle Prong and my hike is HIGHLY FLEXIBLE.......depends on where I park. I love Shining Rock but haven't been there in over 15 years. The most obvious place to park must be at the end of FS-816 at Black Balsam. Is it safe and will there be room to park there for about 3 days during the week? Would it be better to park at Daniel Boone, Sunburst, or along Hwy-215?
I hope to get to the top of Cold Mountain......have tried before but just got so caught up in the astounding beauty of the area and always ran out of time. Is Cold Mountain a "bald" or does it at least have a view?
I understand that Shining Rock area is heavily used. Do backpackers have to get a permit, pay a fee, or camp in designated sites?
Lastly, I've had a couple bear encounters on the A.T. Are bears fairly common in Shining Rock/Middle Prong?
I look forward to and appreciate any input. Read alot of posts already before starting this thread and found alot of helpful info there and I have many of the maps, but had these remaining questions. Thanks.
Strut
Hi, Strut. :welcome to Whiteblaze!
Shining Rock is one of my favorite places to hike!
There is plenty of room on 816 (I think that's the road number - didn't look at a map to confirm it). There is a parking lot at the end of the road with spaces for 15 or 20 vehicles, I think. There is also space to park along the road 1/2 mile or so before the end where the Art Loeb crosses. I've left a vehicle in both places many times and have never had a problem.
I've also parked at Daniel Boone and climbed up the Little East Fork Trail - but much prefer to park off the Blue Ridge to avoid the no-view 2,500 foot climb to the top, and have only parked there in the winter when the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed.
There are no permits, fees, or designated campsites. The most heavily used campsites are around Shining Rock Gap - you may want to avoid that area, but it's a convenient place to camp (close to water source, plenty of tent / hammock sites, close to the overlook on Shining Rock, etc.) If you take a topo map, and get creative, you can find plenty of secluded, seldom used sites with great views.
I've always heard that there are plenty of bears up there - especially during blueberry season, but have never seen one. (Of course, I am usually hiking with either Boy Scouts or my teenage sons, so that may explain why I've never had a bear encounter!) Maybe others here with more experience there will have other observations!
Steve
Thanks SteveJ for the great info. After taking a closer look at the elevations, I think I will avoid the Daniel Boone Camp area and park at the end of FS-816/Black Balsam Parking Area. I plan to hike up to Cold Mountain from there and then try to work in a big loop of the Middle Prong Wilderness. Just planning to wander around for a few days as time isn't an issue. I bought the National Geographic waterproof map of the area and a new Eureka Solitaire tent and lightweight sleeping bag so I'm ready to go. My last hike at Shining Rock was UP the Shining Creek Trail; an incredible work-out as I remember it. Thanks again.
Strut
OldStormcrow
06-01-2009, 11:43
You can park out at the far end of Black Balsam and hike over the entire balds area....lots o' great views on the way, but windy. To get all the way out to Cold Mountain you will probably need a two night's stay, one at Shining Rock and one at Cold Mountain. Unfortunately, all of Shining Rock Wilderness is a no-fire area.....although in my 35+ years of hiking up there I have only seen two rangers all the way up at Shining Rock, and they were patrolling together. They do seem to patrol the parking areas around Black Balsam with regularity and I have never had any problems parking there. I have never seen any bears or bear sign in the area. Lots of deer, skunks and tourists, but no bears.
brian2o0o
06-12-2009, 00:37
I've backpacked through there a few different times. The most secluded parking area was the boyscout camp. The black balsam and 276 areas usually have alot more ppl in them. Never had a problem in any of the three though. Best time to go is winter because most of the dayhikers dont wanna fight the cold. Went in January a couple years back and had snow/ice and 5 degree nights...good times! Never seen a bear around there, but i'm usually there in late fall and winter.
If your just trying to make it up the Cold Mountain then just park at the area you had planned already and get off Ivestor first chance (so you'll actually be hiking) and truck it all the way there. You shouldn't any problems getting there or even out in one day let alone a few. I'd say park at laural valley trailhead off 215 and go up Sam Knob the first night then on to Cold mountain the second and you should have plenty of time to kill and no problem getting back to the car in a hurry if need be.
I was suggesting BB to CM for a one day thing but from Laural V. to SK to CM for a two day trip. It's been a long day I didn't quite make sense in the last post.