Comments on: Black Balsam Knob and Sam Knob Summits, Pisgah National Forest

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:47:00 +0000

In reply to ashevillain. Yes you can. I've done the reverse of the loop you mentioned. My point was, you can't start at the trailheads I mentioned unless the Parkway is open.

By: ashevillain

ashevillain — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:52:00 +0000

You can actually hike there even when the BRP is closed. Just hike in from the western terminus of Flat Laurel Creek on 215.

I’ve done this before and it is pretty amazing. It’s crazy to see that parking lot empty after seeing how overcrowded the area gets when the BRP is open.

You could do a pretty nice loop: 215 to Flat Laurel Creek, FLC extension to Sam’s Knob, back down SK to the parking lot, start down the gated road and then take a right up the Art Loeb spur trail to BB, then take the ALT/MST all the way back to 215. Without looking at a map I think this should be in the neighborhood of 12-13 miles. Nice loop.

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 01:37:00 +0000

In reply to Natasha Bright. Natasha, thanks so much for the kind words. It makes me happy to know you are finding out places to go and things to see in your new home. Welcome to WNC!

By: Natasha Bright

Natasha Bright — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 17:41:00 +0000

I hiked Sam Knob just one day after you! It was my first time since we just recently moved in the area. It was so beautiful atop Sam Knob; I’ll definitely be back many times. I completely agree about the rocks though; they were ugly and very hard to walk on.

I absolutely love this blog! I read it almost every day and use it often to research which trail I’m going to hike next!