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A tough but enjoyable hike with magnificent viewpoints. Hike climbs significantly first two miles. Carry water, avoid heat


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Map Key

3.6

Miles

5.9

KM

Point to Point

5,945' 1,812 m

High

3,722' 1,134 m

Low

2,445' 745 m

Up

402' 123 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (8°)

69%

Max Grade (35°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

This trail can have lots of bear scat on it, so be bear aware.

Description

This trail is not blazed, so be sure to bring the Hiking Project mobile app to find your way. Once parked at the trailhead for the Shining Creek Path, follow the trail to the first fork, make a right, and keep your eyes peeled for an unmarked second right where this trail's gpx track begins. If you leave and return to the creek without finding it, you've gone too far.

Once on the trail, it is a steady climb for the first couple of miles to get up to the ridgeline. If you do this trail in the winter, expect to have good views the whole way, but in summer or fall, they're bound to be obscured by the foliage. Once you have reached the ridgeline, the trail will level out and the hiking will be much easier. You'll go over a few knobs, where the forest opens up, before eventually reaching the access trail to Shining Rock (a very large quartz outcropping) that makes a great lunch spot with expansive views. After enjoying Shining Rock, head back to the trail and continue right (west) to find the trail's end in a junction with the Art Loeb Trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jeffery Porter

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 12 votes

#6832

Overall
  4.4 from 12 votes
5 Star
42%
4 Star
58%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#220

in North Carolina

#6,832

Overall
3 Views Last Month
1,935 Since Nov 11, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
7%
79%
14%

Photos

Keep heading down to the left as you pass the giant quartz rocks
Jul 5, 2019 near West Ca…, NC
Turn right to go up Old Butt Knob (staying straight keeps you on Shining Creek trail)
Jul 5, 2019 near Canton, NC
Viewpoint off Old Butt Knob Trail
Apr 30, 2018 near Canton, NC
Head right to go up to Shining Rock, left to keep heading down towards Art Loeb/giant quartz rocks
Jul 5, 2019 near West Ca…, NC
Trail conditions, bring that map and gps
Feb 17, 2018 near Canton, NC
View from trail
Feb 18, 2018 near Canton, NC
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 5 days ago
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