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Patrick S
(xpatrickxad) - F

Locale: Upper East TN
Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/12/2010 08:54:50 MDT Print View

I headed out for a quick overnight that didn't turn out exactly how I planned.

Full report and pictures here: http://patrickofeasttn.blogspot.com/
Bill Reynolds
(billreyn1) - M

Locale: North East Georgia Mountains
Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/12/2010 09:30:33 MDT Print View

Thanks for sharing this.
Tom Clark
(TomClark) - MLife

Locale: East Coast
Re: Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/24/2010 04:11:14 MDT Print View

Looks like an awfully nice hike to me. A clear night on top of a NC bald is more than many people experience.
Chris W
(simplespirit) - MLife

Locale: WNC
Re: Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/24/2010 04:50:03 MDT Print View

Thanks for the report, Patrick. This is one of my favorite areas in the SE.
Patrick S
(xpatrickxad) - F

Locale: Upper East TN
Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/24/2010 09:54:57 MDT Print View

Thanks for the comments, guys.

@Tom: I know what you're saying. A majority of my local hikes involve NC/TN balds and clear nights up there are few and far between for sure. But it sure is great when you catch one of those nights. I was hoping to catch some of the Persied meteor shower, but I was a night early.

@Chris: I've been wanting to go back since I got home. Its only an hour and half drive which beats the 2-3 hours it takes to get to the eastern half of GSMNP for me. And I'd rather drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway than Gatlinburg anytime.
Brian Camprini
(bcamprini) - M

Locale: Southern Appalachians
 		Re: Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/24/2010 12:02:59 MDT Print View

I really got a kick out of your story and had to laugh because I had the exact same thing happen. The trail just disappeared and I couldn't find the right way despite knowing exactly where I was. A lot of bloody bushwhacking ensued. And that was months ago--I'm sure it's even more grown up this time of year. Beautiful area--there are tons of nice hikes around there. If you find out if/when trail maintenance is done, let me know so I can go up there before it grows back!
Chris W
(simplespirit) - MLife

Locale: WNC
Re: Re: Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/24/2010 12:45:33 MDT Print View

Take a map and compass and enjoy one of the only places around you can do some off-trail travel. :-)
Trevor Wilson
(trevor83) - MLife

Locale: Swiss Alps / Southern Appalachians
Re: Re: Re: Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/24/2010 13:39:33 MDT Print View

Sounds like it turned out great in the end even if it was a bit different than you planned. Great pictures and report. Thanks!
Bradford Rogers
(Mocs123) - MLife

Locale: Southeast Tennessee
Re: Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/24/2010 18:52:43 MDT Print View

Nice shots! You certainly had better weather than when I went through there!
Patrick S
(xpatrickxad) - F

Locale: Upper East TN
Shining Rock Wilderness 8/10-8/11 on 08/24/2010 21:22:19 MDT Print View

@Brian: you're not the first one to tell me they got confused there. It seems to be a real tricky spot for most everyone. Which makes me feel better.

@Chris: A majority of my hiking history is the AT so my map and compass skills are pretty untested. I had them both and they definitely helped out me in quite a few spots. I just wasn't comfortable to go off trail in an overgrown area in the trees where I couldn't really read the terrain that well.

@Bradford: If you ever organize a trip there I'll try my best to tag along.

Thanks for all the comments, guys. Its a great spot and I'll be back for sure.