Comments on: Art Loeb Trail to Pilot Mountain, Pisgah National Forest

By: wmbii

wmbii — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:51:00 +0000

Loved the trail up to Pilot Mountain. Appreciated the directions. Made the summit in an hour, but it was WORK. A cloudy and almost drizzly day, but loved the climb up the ridge. Whenever we looked away from the ridge, we saw clouds down below us. What a great trail for training, too. Can’t wait to do it on a clear day.

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 22:33:00 +0000

In reply to Rob P. Thanks for the kind words Rob. See ya out there.

By: Rob P

Rob P — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 22:23:00 +0000

Wow. So, I have been meaning to leave a comment on your Sam’s Knob/Little Sam post, (an amazing hike!) as it was instrumental in route choosing for a 3 day hike i recently did with a group of 7 guys. Got a reminding nudge from spirit to do that today, and found this post.

Your trail reports have been inspirational and informative. And, interestingly enough….our 3-day hike started from Black Balsam parking lot on Tues June 19, and we were walking down, around Pilot Mtn the morning of June 21, having camped in one of the group-sized sites just south of the Deep Gap shelter. The two hikers that I am betting you met on the ALT stayed in the shelter @ Deep Gap the night before, having left Deep Gap about 15 minutes ahead of us. Had we had the time, we would have actually have crossed paths on Pilot Mtn, ((we were well “behind schedule” to get to Kuykendall to meet a group, and hence were hoofing it, full packs, down the FR instead of up and over one more amazing peak) As it was, we were all on the mountain at the same time.

Thank you so much for this resource.
~rob

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:05:00 +0000

In reply to DSD. D, there were indeed plenty of smiles. As you well know, the high country will do that.

By: DSD

DSD — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 16:53:00 +0000

This mountain’s name is fitting considering how you describe the vistas and how enjoyable they are up there Jeff. Had to read this post again. It reminds me of our Pilot mountain scramble route up here in Banff. One you would surely enjoy.
Looks like smiles were on everyone’s faces.
D

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:36:00 +0000

In reply to Aaron West. Aaron, great to hear from you again. Keep in touch.

By: Aaron West

Aaron West — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:26:00 +0000

Pilot Mountain is definitely a head turner, as Bill said. It seems to be free standing in the foothills, with the big behemoths lurking in the distance. I can only imagine the view while hiking. We will be out there in a couple weeks to climb it and a couple of the other nearby Sauratown Mountains. It is also a particularly strenuous bicycle climb, very steep as you can imagine.

By: Bill Howard

Bill Howard — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 23:22:00 +0000

I have always wanted to hike that area. I live in Eastern NC but my inlaws have a place not far from there. Pilot Mountain is a head turner for the kids when we drive thru. Thanks for the post and I will plan on hitting this trail this fall!