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 Reporter |
Summary: This loop is not blazed because it is located in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area. Some trail junctions are very difficult to recognize. I strongly suggest not attempting this hike without a topo map of the area. A GPS and experience in route finding are also very helpful. Begin on Shining Creek trail (old roadbed) from the Big East Fork Trailhead. Ascend along the creek most of the way to the Art Loeb Trail at the top of the ridge (approximately 4.1 miles). Turn right. You'll see Shining Rock after about 0.5 miles. Stay to the right and ascend uphill near the rock. Just past the trail on the left that leads to the top of the rock for spectacular views look for a faint trail on the right. Turn here on Old Butt Knob Trail. This junction may be difficult to recognize. Continue down this trail to rock outcrops with great views. Continue descending until you intersect with Shining Creek Trail again. Turn left to return to the trailhead. Trailhead: From I-40 take Hwy 215 South through Canton. Turn right on Hwy 110 in town. At the intersection of Hwys 110/215/276, go South (left) on Hwy 276. Continue until you see the Big East Fork Trailhead parking area on the right. It will be prominately marked with a large brown and yellow USFS sign. You'll reach it approximately 35 minutes after you leave I-40. (Lat:35.36588 Lon:-82.81794) Trail Guides for Shining Creek-Art Loeb-Old Butt Knob Loop Trail: North Carolina Hiking Trails by Allen de Hart (Appalachian Mountain Club Books) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: US Forest Service, Pisgah National Forest - 828-877-3350 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Tim Johnson, who has posted 15 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by John on 11/2/2009 We hiked up the Shining Creek trail. I think this is the best way to do the loop, b/c this trail is a gradual climb and is scenic. Pay attention to distances, b/c there are other forks that can be confusing. Once you reach the end of the Shining Creek trail, it is about a 5-10 minute walk up to Shining Rock. The Old Butt Knob trail was difficult to locate at the top. My best description would be once you get to the top of Shining Creek and take a right, and walk about 100 yards where you will see a fork, the left fork will go over to Shining Rock, and the right fork is Old Butt Knob trail, this trail will then fork again, and go right again. You will know this is the trail by the fact that it goes uphill a bit, and keeps going.
Reviewed by Mac on 8/1/2009 Hiked the trail in late May 2009. Old Butt trail in good shape but steep and unrelenting until ~5000 ft elevation. Topo map and compass a necessity. Returned via Shining Creek trail - a beautiful but lengthy rock-hop.
Reviewed by Matt on 2/8/2009 Trail is in decent shape now, the forest service appears to have cut a new switchback (compared to the map) right about where the OB trail hits the wall and starts getting really steep. Take a detailed map of the top or you wont be able to find the Shining Creek trail on your way down. This is probably the steepest trail I've hiked in the South.
Reviewed by Christopher on 8/27/2008 I hiked this trail last week and the trail is in bad shape. It is a 4 hr hike if you dont get turned around. I enjoyed using my map and compass! 
Reviewed by Chris on 3/10/2008 I hiked this trail about 4 years ago, and again this past week. It is a disaster now. The washouts alone turned what was normally a 2.5hr hike to the Gap into a 4hr hike halfway. Strongly recommend staying away from this trail to all but the most experienced hiker/navigators, until the forest service has cleaned up this trail. 
Reviewed by Roger on 1/7/2008 I have been hiking this area, and specifically this trail, for over 20 years. Yeah, iot is heavuily used in the summer, but it is a paradise in the winter.
Reviewed by MK on 8/27/2007 This was my first hike ever. I found it very challenging. We went up reverse on Big East Fork hiking upward the whole way. Camped overnight at Old Butt Knob. Next day got towards the top of Beech Spring or Dog Loser couldn't tell which one we were at. The trails started to get confusing. We ran low on water and got caught in the middle of a very bad lightning storm so we deceided to hike back down. There were some great views. I wish we could have made it through the whole loop. I would do it again but will be better informed next time!
Reviewed by Knopf on 6/8/2007 It is the best! Why waste half the day getting to Shining Rock via the Art Lobe Trail when you can hump it up Shining Creek and get to the top faster and enjoy more time atop the world? Shining Rock is known in Cherokee legend as the birthplace of mankind. It is my personal Garden of Eden. The trails are overgrown and unmarked intentionally to attract hikers that are experienced with topography and terrain instinct. There are cairns in the tricky spots, but basically you just have to take your time and be aware of your surroundings. I have done this hike many times and it is like second nature now. No tourists is a plus! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: North Carolina Hiking, North Carolina Trails, North Carolina Hikes, Haywood County Hiking, Haywood County Trails, Haywood County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||