Shining Rock Wilderness

Named for a micaceous rock outcrop, Shining Rock became one of the original components of the National Wilderness Preservation System in September 1964, a few months after being designated a Wild area. It is now the largest Wilderness in North Carolina, separated by only a road from Middle Prong Wilderness to the southwest. Standing at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet and boasting five peaks exceeding 6,000 feet, three of them within the boundaries, Shining Rock Ledge forms the backbone of the area. In this series of high ridges on the north slopes of Pisgah Ridge you'll find extremely steep and rugged terrain ranging from 3,200 feet on the banks of the West Fork of the Pigeon River, a major tributary of the Tennessee River, to 6,030 feet on Cold Mountain. Streams abound, cutting narrow passages through the mountains on their way to either the East or West Forks of the Pigeon River. Loggers cut down the forest between 1906 and 1926, and fires raged through the area in 1925 and 1942; these two factors account for Shining Rock's grassy "balds" and unique vegetation. Almost all the trails rate as difficult and they can be hard to follow. Nevertheless this is one of the most trampled wildernesses in the state, especially along the Art Loeb (11.6 miles), Ivester Gap (1.6 miles), and Shining Creek (3.4 miles) trails, and the entry at the Big East Fork Trailhead also sees heavy use. Off-trail you will see few other humans. No campfires are permitted, and group size is limited to 10.