August 31, 2004
| HIKERS – Erin Buchinger, John and Michele DiDiego, Jesse Eisenbise, Casey Finedell, Steve Jordan, Wayne Miller, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Bob Presley, Tony Presley, Stephanie Rynders, Jack Slaton, Geri and David Whitaker .
TRAIL INFO. – Today’s Hike began at Parking lot for Shining Rock / Sam’s Knob off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western NC. We hiked on the Art Loeb Trail across Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountains (both 6,000+ ft elevation) and on over to Shining Rock Mountain. We had lunch at Shining Rock and made the return hike in moderately heavy rain showers. Trail difficulty moderate with elevation changes and rocky footing. Total hike today 9.5 miles. DIRECTIONS – Shining Rock Mountain is located in the Pisgah National Forest and is accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC on the Art Loeb Trail. The parking lot is on Forest Service Road 816 near Parkway mile post 420. Another beautiful hiking day! Partly cloudy changing to cloudy with moderate rain showers! Temps in the mid 60’s to low 70’s F. Flora in Bloom: White Snakeroot, White Wood Aster, Blue Aster, Joe Pye Weed, Bog Cranberries in fruit, Black Cohosh, St. John’s Wort, Bottle Gentian, Stiff Gentian, Tall Goldenrod, Filmy Angelica, White Yarrow, Ground Pine, Ground Cedar, Greenhead Cone Flower, Black-eyed Susan, Bluets, Heal-All, Bind Weed, Virgin’s Bower, Phlox, Carrion Flower Vine in fruit. FAUNA: Birds Identified–Dark-eyed Junco, Black and White Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, Raven, Towhee, Blue Jay, Cat Bird, American Kestrel. |
 Our group at the parking lot. |
 The trail marker at the summit of Black Balsam Knob.(Elevation 6,214 ft.) |
 One of many great views from Black Balsam. |
 Looking Westward. |
 Here, we work our way toward Tennent Mountain. |
 Continuing toward Tennent Mtn. we notice clouds starting to build. Trail leader Bob says it will not rain enough to get you wet. (ha,ha) |
 Beautiful Tennent Mtn.! |
 The wilderness sign at Ivester Gap. |
 Wildflower of the day. Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) |
 One of the white quartz cliffs on Shining Rock Mtn. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. At the Summit of Black Balsam Knob. (l-r) front – Stephanie Rynders, Erin Buchinger, Michele DiDiego and Bob Presley. back (l-r) Steve Jordan, Jesse Eisenbise, Casey Finedell, Dan Ross, Jack Slaton, Wayne Miller, John DiDiego, Doug Russell, Geri Whitaker, David Whitaker, and Tony Presley |