Past Trips to Shining
Rock
Over the years we've made many trips to Shining Rock Wilderness,
these are just a few of our pictures.
This 1982 picture shows the Upper Falls on the Yellowstone Prong
of the Pigeon River with Black Balsam and Tennent Mountain in the background.
This merry band just the night before (May 1985) got caught in Ivestor Gap
in a sleet storm.
The night was rough but morning brought sun and warm temperatures, and smiles
to our faces.
This view of Shining Rock from Shining Rock Gap was probably taken on the
1985 trip.
This is a great view of the Western Point of Shining Rock's quartz crown in
1985.
Stairs Mountain is to the right and the Smokies are in the distance.
Dennis Dill tightens his shoelaces at Ivestor Gap before heading up Grassy
Top in 1987
This 1987 view from Grassy Top across Iverstor Gap looking south shows Tennent
and Black Balsam.
The windbreaks planted by the Forest Service in the 70s can be seen on the
flanks of the mountains to the right.
Rainy day in 1987 looking southwest from Grassy Top
Camping in the trees below the north face of Shining Rock during the winter
of 1988.
The quartz bolders strewn about give these woods an unusual look.
This 1988 view from the field on the north side of Shining Rock captures Cold
Mountain 4 miles away.
From the same field this view captures Mount Pisgah.
Asheville is just to the left of the tallest tree. At night the lights make
its location unmistakable.
Dennis and I take a rest stop on Stairs Mountain in the summer of 1988
Six year old Simon "cuts up" in this 1990 shot taken on top of Shining
Rock.
In the distance are Sam's Knob and Mount Hardy to the southwest.
Shining Rock's peak provides a great playgound for kids (of all ages).
Kristy and Mandy Grainger play in the meadow "behind" Shining Rock's
peak in 1990,
with Cold Mountain looming through the trees.
Brian's family takes a rest stop at the top of Tennent on the way to Sining
Rock in 1994.
The marker is dedicated to, and the mountain named for Dr. Tennent, considered
the "father of organized hiking in North Carolina."
Ten year old Simon (foreground) and Brian's son Josh on Tennent in 1994.
This is a "hard won" view from the flank of Cold Mountain looking
back (south) towards Shining Rock and Deep Gap.
In this view south from the top of Cold Mountain the furthest peak in the
haze at center is Black Balsam.
The Art Loeb / Cold Mountain Trail traverses the ridge at center.
View north from Cold Mountain toward Clyde and Canton, small towns hidden
by the clouds.
July 4th 1994 on top of "the Rock" at Shining Rock.