Comments on: Art Loeb Trail to Grassy Cove Top, Shining Rock Wilderness

By: wmbii

wmbii — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 23:56:00 +0000

I do love this trail, as I’ve taken it many times along the way to Shining Rocks. Grassy Cove is usually quiet. Regarding the descent on the eroded south side, I once encountered three garter snakes on the way down. Which reminds me of the 4′ Rattlesnake I saw last August on the Ivester gap road just to the west of Grassy Cove. He was just spread out on the trail like he owned the place. This was shocking to me as I foolishly thought that no poisonous snakes would be at this 6000′ level.

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:28:00 +0000

In reply to Ben.

Hi Ben. No problem to cross over all the balds if you’re only going as far as Shining Rock Gap. Flower Gap is moderately difficult… no more so than Grassy Cove Top.

Thanks for the kind words. Have a great hike!

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 04:58:00 +0000

Hey, great site! I have a question for you. I’m about to do a hike from the Black Balsam Rd trailhead onto Art Loeb with my overnight destination being Shining Rock Gap. I noticed you recommended hopping onto Ivestor if you were heading deeper to the north. Would this still hold true if you were just going to Shining Rock Gap? Are the sections through Flower Gap and all that pretty difficult? Thanks!

By: DSD

DSD — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:45:00 +0000

Wonderful journey Jeff and a unique place to share a smile with a fellow wanderer…
D

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 06:05:00 +0000

In reply to Gary W.. Hello Gary. There are a few small springs on the Ivestor Gap Trail itself between the Black Balsam Rd. parking and Ivestor Gap, but there are no creeks or streams. The closest large water sources would be Little East Fork which is just west of Shining Rock Gap, or Shining Creek just east of Shining Rock Gap.

By: Gary W.

Gary W. — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 04:17:00 +0000

Hi – do you know if there are any water sources near Ivestor Gap? Or how close the nearest one would be? Thanks for any info! Gary