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| | | Mt Pisgah-Pilot Rock-Big Creek Loop, NC | | | |
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Mt Pisgah-Pilot Rock-Big Creek Loop, NC
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| Hiking | 12.26 Miles |
4,133 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.26 Miles | 6 Hrs 59 Mns | | 2.05 mph |
| 4,133 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | 12 LBS Pack | | |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | First hike on my week long visit to see my son and his GF in Ashevile, NC. They both had to work this day, so I picked something close that I'd put together. First time on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but only for a bit on this day.
Up the Mt Pisgah Trail (pronounced PIIZ-GAH) trail to the top, on a trail that was in great condition. There is a platform up at the top to afford great 360 views. The cloud deck was low, but had lifted from earlier so there were excellent views.
Video  https://youtu.be/Qu ... cpUo
Back down and then headed to the Pilot Rock area. I had no idea exactly what to expect. Used the Mountains to Sea Trail passing by the foundation ruins for the old Vanderbilt Buck Springs Lodge [ photo ] [ photo ] .
It was all down to Pilot Rock. From the vantage point I had, Pilot Rock was no big deal. I later saw via GE, that the majority of the exposed rock was below/lower from where I had stopped to have my lunch
Next I made my way over to a dashed trail line on my TOPO map. I could find no documentation of a named trail in this area, but I needed a way to connect to the Big Creek Trail to complete my loop. When I got there I found no evidence of signage, but there was an old faint trail. The woods in this area was so thick, that light barely made it through in spots. This was a very steep downward trail that made it ultimately to the Big Creek Trail.
Big Creek was running pretty good and I rock hopped across to merge into the Big Creek Trail. This was a 2 mile slog, gaining 2000' that just never quit, all under the mature trees.
I had a 1/3 of a mile on the Blue Ridge Parkway, in between tunnels and then hoped I'd find a spot to scramble up to get me back to the parking, without having to walk through the dark tunnels with the traffic.
All worked out and I actual got on what appeared to be the original BRP alignment, with some of the original pavement showing through in spots.
A nice little hike to start my week |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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Big Creek |
Medium flow |
Medium flow |
| | | Flowing Nicely | | _____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
