captainbuuda - Jan 19, 2008 10:01 am Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2007
Art Loeb Trail (southbound)
Hiked up from Shining Rock campsite; also found the top of Grassy Top Cove and Tennent Mtn. I actually was simply looking to go around it, however visibility was about 20 feet due to the horrible weather: temps hovering around freezing, strong winds and I had my very own Perma-cloud(ie dense fog), making humidity and moisture levels pretty much 100%. I wish it had been snow. I hope to make a day-hike out of it so I can actually see farther than twenty feet in front of me next time.
chugach mtn boy - Dec 3, 2007 11:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2004
A real find
I grew up hiking the NC mountains but didn't discover this gem till I was almost a geezer
buzzdainer - Oct 15, 2007 1:10 am Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2000
Tbacon251 - Mar 19, 2007 10:08 pm Date Climbed: Mar 17, 2007
Nice Hike
Started from the parking lot below and hiked to the top on a VERY cold day. After making the summit we pushed on to Tennent Mountain. Great day to hike. Clear skys.
gwave47 - Nov 10, 2006 11:19 pm Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2006
Art Loeb mostly, also hit Tennant Mountain, Grassy Cove Top, and Shining Rock
I found myself off the trail many times and bushwacking until I could eventually make my way back to it. Thought it was interesting how the trail will split 10 ways but they all go to the same place. Why couldn't everyone just follow the original trail?
sugie1986 - Nov 6, 2006 2:46 pm Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2006
Foreign Scenery
Absoultely gorgeous!! Ive never seen anything like it in the mountains around here. A little cold and windy, but definitely worth the view!!
slick858 - Oct 30, 2006 5:13 pm Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2006
Unreal in the South
You truely do not know your in the South with this grassy bald! Be Prepared for some wind.
Numerous times, many in wind, fog, or precip that kept visability down to mere feet.
GAHikerGirl - Jun 15, 2006 1:13 am Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2006
One of My Favorites
Great camping spots just south of the summit. Wonderful 360 degree views. Windy but the scenery reminds me of Scotland. Such a uniquely wonderful place.
brentonjweaver - Apr 12, 2006 8:15 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2002
Art Loeb
Hiked en-route to Shining Rock. Incredible Southern Appalachain Peak.
Route Climbed: Flat Laurel Creek Trail Date Climbed: May 15, 2004
Black Balsam Knob is a beautiful sixer, but to thoroughly appreciate the mountain, you must climb it from the Flat Laurel Creek Trail.
This peak can be busy during the summer depite what the main page says about its serenity. Because of the ease of access via the Art Loeb Trail, traffic can be heavy in the spring summer & fall>>Winter is an ideal time to visit is you want the mountain to yourself>>
Route Climbed: Art Loeb Trail Date Climbed: May 29, 2005
A nice hike from the road. Great views of the surrounding mountains. Interesting grassy summit. Went on to Tennent Mountain from there. Could see the summit of Sam Knob, where we camped that night.
captainbuuda - Jan 19, 2008 10:01 am Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2007
Art Loeb Trail (southbound)Hiked up from Shining Rock campsite; also found the top of Grassy Top Cove and Tennent Mtn. I actually was simply looking to go around it, however visibility was about 20 feet due to the horrible weather: temps hovering around freezing, strong winds and I had my very own Perma-cloud(ie dense fog), making humidity and moisture levels pretty much 100%. I wish it had been snow. I hope to make a day-hike out of it so I can actually see farther than twenty feet in front of me next time.
chugach mtn boy - Dec 3, 2007 11:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2004
A real findI grew up hiking the NC mountains but didn't discover this gem till I was almost a geezer
buzzdainer - Oct 15, 2007 1:10 am Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2000
Art Loeb TrailBrought my folks up here. Beautiful, as usual.
Bark Eater - Sep 27, 2007 12:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 1996
Remiscient of the westThe open, grassy ridgetop is more remiscient of the west. Wonderful views!
StarMan - Aug 9, 2007 7:58 pm
Awesome views!Have done in all seasons
Tbacon251 - Mar 19, 2007 10:08 pm Date Climbed: Mar 17, 2007
Nice HikeStarted from the parking lot below and hiked to the top on a VERY cold day. After making the summit we pushed on to Tennent Mountain. Great day to hike. Clear skys.
gwave47 - Nov 10, 2006 11:19 pm Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2006
Art Loeb mostly, also hit Tennant Mountain, Grassy Cove Top, and Shining RockI found myself off the trail many times and bushwacking until I could eventually make my way back to it. Thought it was interesting how the trail will split 10 ways but they all go to the same place. Why couldn't everyone just follow the original trail?
sugie1986 - Nov 6, 2006 2:46 pm Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2006
Foreign SceneryAbsoultely gorgeous!! Ive never seen anything like it in the mountains around here. A little cold and windy, but definitely worth the view!!
slick858 - Oct 30, 2006 5:13 pm Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2006
Unreal in the SouthYou truely do not know your in the South with this grassy bald! Be Prepared for some wind.
Dottie Little Tent - Sep 14, 2006 9:22 pm
BBKNumerous times, many in wind, fog, or precip that kept visability down to mere feet.
GAHikerGirl - Jun 15, 2006 1:13 am Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2006
One of My FavoritesGreat camping spots just south of the summit. Wonderful 360 degree views. Windy but the scenery reminds me of Scotland. Such a uniquely wonderful place.
brentonjweaver - Apr 12, 2006 8:15 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2002
Art LoebHiked en-route to Shining Rock. Incredible Southern Appalachain Peak.
TomSellick - Sep 2, 2005 12:55 pm
Route Climbed: Multiple Date Climbed: Multiple (summer and winter)Great area, especially if you can get to it in the fall or winter.
Cortez - Aug 2, 2005 12:12 pm
Route Climbed: Flat Laurel Creek Trail Date Climbed: May 15, 2004Black Balsam Knob is a beautiful sixer, but to thoroughly appreciate the mountain, you must climb it from the Flat Laurel Creek Trail.
This peak can be busy during the summer depite what the main page says about its serenity. Because of the ease of access via the Art Loeb Trail, traffic can be heavy in the spring summer & fall>>Winter is an ideal time to visit is you want the mountain to yourself>>
We continued on to Tennent Mt.
Bill Jirousek - Jun 15, 2005 10:16 pm
Route Climbed: Art Loeb Trail Date Climbed: May 29, 2005A nice hike from the road. Great views of the surrounding mountains. Interesting grassy summit. Went on to Tennent Mountain from there. Could see the summit of Sam Knob, where we camped that night.
dwhike - Mar 23, 2005 4:50 am
Route Climbed: Art Loeb Trail mostly, also Flat Laurel Creek Trail Date Climbed: Numerous Times 2001-PresentOnly hiked Flat Laurel Creek Trail once. Its the only way to access the summit when the Parkway is closed.