I had the privilege to spend part of a week backpacking on the Art Loeb Trail back in the summer of 2010 with my good friend Mike Chisholm. I had seen many photos of this area over the years, and finally had the chance to go see it in person.

The Art Loeb Trail is located in the Shining Rock Wilderness area in Haywood County, North Carolina. It’s also part of the Pisgah National Forest. It crosses 6,000 ft. balds with 360º views. I have to say that I probably rate Shining Rock and Grayson Highlands as the most beautiful places I’ve been in the southeast.

The photo above was taken in early September from the top of Tennent Mountain, elevation 6,040 ft. I remember the wind was blowing pretty hard, and it was very chilly standing there in shorts and a windbreaker. We had set up camp just below this spot that night in a cove of trees.

Even in the summer months of the year, “always” pack a long sleeve and a wind/rain jacket if you go to the mountains. Depending on elevation, it can be as much 30+ degrees cooler than it is here in the Piedmont. ~MB

Photographic Notes:
Nikon Coolpix P6000. All images © Matt Bennett Photography.