View Full Version : Graveyard Ridge
Chaco Taco
08-05-2009, 21:28
Looking Glass Overlook to Art Loab Trail.
Awesome trail with couple of nice climbs. At Yellowstone falls there is camping in 4-5 different spots. The trail leads up to a great ridge walk along Graveyard Ridge. The views are awesome all along the ridge and some good climbs up. After the intersection of the M2Sea and Graveyard Fields the trail jumps up to a really awesome ledge that looks out over Pisgah. Made it to the Art Loab Trail and turned back and hit teh Graveyard Ridge trail which is flat and has good views but I liked the M2Sea side of the trail better. Some water is available but it had just rained so I dont know how it would be. Some great spots to camp including the ledge before the Art Loab Trail. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.
This is one of my mecca trips (one I do every year). Except I take the graveyard ridge trail to Cold mtn.
OldStormcrow
08-06-2009, 14:14
I did a similar hike many years ago when I was in high school. I hiked up the Case Camp Trail from Hwy.276 to near Graveyard Ridge overlook, then up to Ivestor Gap, into Shining Rock, and finally down the Greasy Prong Cove Trail to Hwy.276 at Big East Fork parking lot.....in the middle of winter. Great memories.
Going to Gaveyard Fields was my first bacpacking trip....if you could actually call it that.
I bet I didn't even hike a mile before setting up camp. It felt like I had walked forever.
I was thinking about heading up that way again.
Chaco Taco
08-08-2009, 17:53
It really made me appreciate the fact that this was a 20 min drive for me to get to this section of trail. i love it here!
ashevillain
08-25-2009, 14:35
I just did a similar (and absolutely beautiful hike).
Black Balsam Trailhead (Art Loeb Trail) >
(R) immediately to MST >
Descend to Graveyard Ridge intersection>
(L) Ivestor Gap Trail >
Ascend to Ivestor Gap >
(L) Art Loeb Trail >
Ascend summits of Tennett Mtn. and Black Balsam Mtn. >
Descend & return to trailhead.
A couple of notes:
- at times I was literally walking up a stream on some of the lower parts of the Ivestor Gap Trail. Water shouldn't be a problem for awhile.
- Another site has the mileage listed @ 6mi. I feel like it might be more. It took me 4 hours and I tend to average alot faster than that. The only somewhat challenging section was the ascent up Tennett Mtn.
- Way way way too many people with gallons upon gallons of containers picking blueberries. Off the trails, trampling all over the mountainsides, being extremely loud. Someone correct me if I'm wrong....isn't it illegal to pick berries and carry large containers of them out of the PNF?
Tennessee Viking
08-25-2009, 14:48
Its the same thing on Roan. But I don't really remember a rule about the amount of berries that can be picked. But cutting any bush or tree on NF lands carries a fine.
I just pick them and eat as I hike.
Walking Dead
08-25-2009, 15:44
Yup, love the area. Son and I did the Balsam mtn, Tenet mtn, Investor Gap, Greasy Cove (a real knee killer going down!) up the trail that connects Greasy Cove to the MTS/Graveyard Ridge and back to Balsam in June.
Chaco Taco
08-26-2009, 15:53
Yea we camped last week at Yellowstone Falls, great waterfront camping with sooooooo many swimmin holes and private swimmin holes:eek:
Tennessee Viking
08-26-2009, 16:44
Yea we camped last week at Yellowstone Falls, great waterfront camping with sooooooo many swimmin holes and private swimmin holes:eek:
Walked to Upper and Second Falls. I was told rangers will fine you if you travel down to Yellowstone falls. Even though I dont really listen when it comes to waterfall hunting.
The day I went, a number of rangers were patrolling the trails and working on the Second Falls platform, and all I got was, "there was no trail down to it. You have to view it from BRP." So I didn't want to chance climbing down to it.
Chaco Taco
08-26-2009, 17:21
Walked to Upper and Second Falls. I was told rangers will fine you if you travel down to Yellowstone falls. Even though I dont really listen when it comes to waterfall hunting.
The day I went, a number of rangers were patrolling the trails and working on the Second Falls platform, and all I got was, "there was no trail down to it. You have to view it from BRP." So I didn't want to chance climbing down to it.
Uh the MST trail has a bridge that crosses the falls. We must be thinking of different falls. When you walk into the woods at 417 Looking Glass, the MST goes in and at about .5 miles in it goes down a stair case into the falls. Its very beautiful. I think you are talking about Second Falls?
elmotoots
08-26-2009, 18:50
I love the graveyard fields
You guys talking about this place
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee99/elmotoots/vacation253.jpg
This waterfall?
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee99/elmotoots/vacation259-1.jpg
Elmo
Chaco Taco
08-26-2009, 20:13
I love the graveyard fields
You guys talking about this place
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee99/elmotoots/vacation253.jpg
This waterfall?
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee99/elmotoots/vacation259-1.jpg
Elmo
Very nice, yes that is tha place. Cant wait for fall!!!!
elmotoots
08-26-2009, 21:37
If your going in the fall you may see me because i am going in the fall and look at the fields from the other direction, from this point. Bet you been there huh?
I was all over those Mts last month, and am going again in the next couple of days
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee99/elmotoots/Picture028.jpg
I've got some dank winter pics from up there I'll have to post.
Walking Dead
08-27-2009, 07:34
Deep in the woods on the Greasy Cove trail
http://picasaweb.google.com/manderle/ShiningRockWilderness2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCILjtcC72q iMUA#5352495752503053922
Walking Dead
08-27-2009, 07:40
Sorry, trying again
http://www.mcmannenscouting.org/Troop423/img/GreasyCoveTrail.JPG
humunuku
08-27-2009, 18:35
I don't think yellowstone falls has the MST crossing it - look at the maps - yellowstone falls is off the trail a bit. Although the falls your talking about are quite fantastic for swimming
Chaco Taco
08-27-2009, 21:47
Yea I have been very impressed and am looking forward to getting on the Art Loab.
ashevillain
09-01-2009, 15:31
Uh the MST trail has a bridge that crosses the falls. We must be thinking of different falls. When you walk into the woods at 417 Looking Glass, the MST goes in and at about .5 miles in it goes down a stair case into the falls. Its very beautiful. I think you are talking about Second Falls?
The falls you just described is Skinny Dip Falls.
To my knowledge there is no official trail to Yellowstone Falls, though if you want to get there you will be on the MST before descending to the falls.
http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/graveyard_fields1.htm
I doubt there would be any basis for a fine for hiking there. I'd like to hear an official word on that but it wouldn't stop me from going.
Chaco Taco
09-01-2009, 20:56
The falls you just described is Skinny Dip Falls.
To my knowledge there is no official trail to Yellowstone Falls, though if you want to get there you will be on the MST before descending to the falls.
http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/graveyard_fields1.htm
I doubt there would be any basis for a fine for hiking there. I'd like to hear an official word on that but it wouldn't stop me from going.
Cool regardless, its such a great spot to swim and camp, great hiking all a round
RBig Bear
09-08-2009, 23:29
This is one of my mecca trips (one I do every year). Except I take the graveyard ridge trail to Cold mtn.
This is a truely amazing hike. I did it once about 2 years ago and again about a month ago. Graveyard fields is amazingly beautiful, but too many people during summer months...
johnnybgood
09-09-2009, 20:42
What's the best 3 day section on the Art Loab and where can I fetch a map ?
Graveyard fields looks cool.
Chaco Taco
09-09-2009, 22:06
What's the best 3 day section on the Art Loab and where can I fetch a map ?
Graveyard fields looks cool.
Start at the beginning at Boy Scout Camp and you can do most of it. Get a Nat Geo map of Pisgah Ranger District. Has all of thetrails around here. Amazing hikes.
Walking Dead
09-11-2009, 06:52
What's the best 3 day section on the Art Loab and where can I fetch a map ?
Graveyard fields looks cool.
Make sure you add Tennet Mtn and Balsam Mtn to the route for some awsome views. They're over 6k each.
Balsam Mtn view
http://www.mcmannenscouting.org\MyPhotos\DSCN1710.jpg
Tennet Mtn view
http://www.mcmannenscouting.org\MyPhotos\DSCN1719.jpg
(it was cloudy the day i took these
humunuku
09-11-2009, 12:22
yes, you should be able to do the whole Art Loeb in 3 days
Chaco Taco
09-13-2009, 09:22
So on the Art Loab, where are some good spots to camp? Im really diggin this trail right now and cant wait to walk it!
modiyooch
09-13-2009, 10:19
It really made me appreciate the fact that this was a 20 min drive for me to get to this section of trail. i love it here!
hey chaco, I'm 1 hour from you. Can you give me road directions, please? This is what I like about NC. I have been here for 30 years and a very active hiker. There is still so much to see in my own state, and I can enjoy it year round.
modiyooch
09-13-2009, 18:02
ok, I'll answer my own question.
The trailhead is at milepost 418.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Chaco Taco
09-13-2009, 19:20
ok, I'll answer my own question.
The trailhead is at milepost 418.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Which trail? The Art Loab is around 420 marker
Balasam just last weekend with my new teepee.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/8/6/3/0/jplabor_day_001_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=36271&c=member&orderby=views&direction=DESC&imageuser=18630&cutoffdate=-1)
Hopefully the pic works
Chaco Taco
09-13-2009, 21:39
Balasam just last weekend with my new teepee.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/8/6/3/0/jplabor_day_001_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=36271&c=member&orderby=views&direction=DESC&imageuser=18630&cutoffdate=-1)
Hopefully the pic works
Nice pic.:D
Anybody wanna make 50 bucks for a shuttle from Daniel boone scout camp back to the davidson river trailhead for the art loeb??
Chaco Taco
09-14-2009, 13:11
Anybody wanna make 50 bucks for a shuttle from Daniel boone scout camp back to the davidson river trailhead for the art loeb??
Email sent
johnnybgood
09-14-2009, 19:51
Which trail? The Art Loab is around 420 marker
So does the trailhead at 420 have a marker ?
Not having a map in front of me , where on the Parkway would one park their car and is the trails end near the Blue Ridge Pkwy ?
Is there a shuttle service nearby ?
modiyooch
09-14-2009, 20:40
I doubt there is any shuttle service.
Chaco Taco
09-14-2009, 21:07
We are close by, bout 20 mins to the Art Loab. The thing is, there is a road past graveyard. You can hikie up to the Art Loab or get a ride to the Boy Scout camp, not sure of you can park there. We can try and work something out to get you shuttled. We are former Thru's in Asheville. My fiance and I have a weird schedule but do arrange shuttles for this area.
Chaco Taco
09-14-2009, 21:08
So does the trailhead at 420 have a marker ?
Not having a map in front of me , where on the Parkway would one park their car and is the trails end near the Blue Ridge Pkwy ?
Is there a shuttle service nearby ?
I think there is a paved service road that goes up to the camp and the terminus of Art Loab. Taba knows Im sure, check with him.
humunuku
09-14-2009, 22:08
yes there is a road that goes to the end of the art loeb (which is in the boyscout camp), but its not off the BLT.
humunuku
09-14-2009, 22:09
BRP, not BLT
OldStormcrow
09-15-2009, 08:53
There is a road to the Boy Scout camp, usually accessed through the town of Canton. There is also a road off of the Parkway just above Graveyard Ridge overlook that takes you into the parking lot at the balds. It's about 1/4 mile from the parking lot up to the top of the ridge on one of the numerous little "goat trails", and that's the Art Loeb....one of the best sections of it.
Chaco Taco
09-17-2009, 11:35
There is a road to the Boy Scout camp, usually accessed through the town of Canton. There is also a road off of the Parkway just above Graveyard Ridge overlook that takes you into the parking lot at the balds. It's about 1/4 mile from the parking lot up to the top of the ridge on one of the numerous little "goat trails", and that's the Art Loeb....one of the best sections of it.
Nice thanks
Anyone doing this trail in early June?
A buddy and I may start at Davidson River area and head toward Graveyard Fields area. I don't have my map with me here at work, but, isnt Shining Rock Wilderness accessible from the Art?
Chaco Taco
01-18-2010, 16:07
Anyone doing this trail in early June?
A buddy and I may start at Davidson River area and head toward Graveyard Fields area. I don't have my map with me here at work, but, isnt Shining Rock Wilderness accessible from the Art?
You pass the spur trail up shining rock. yes the Art Loab is in the Wilderness.
We are going to hike the Art Loab sometime in March.
samgriffin4
03-24-2011, 00:53
Taking the MST down from Balsam, then hooking up with greasey cove and up to Ivestor gap has been my training loop for the PCT over the last few months. Clocks out at about 13.75 miles, a solid day hike with full weight (22ish Ibs.).