Asheville: Old Butt Knob-Shining Rock Trails
Climb knobby ridges to the white quartz cap of Shining Rock, then follow a pristine stream back to your car on this arduous 7.8-mile loop.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 11.6
Waypoints
OBK001
Location: 35.3659400939941, -82.8178482055664
Hop onto Shining Creek Trail, climbing up from the East Fork of the Pigeon River
OBK002
Location: 35.3585624694824, -82.8205642700195
Turn R onto Old Butt Knob Trail
OBK003
Location: 35.3620452880859, -82.826301574707
Path climbs up the rugged Chestnut Ridge; several rocky outcrops ahead
OBK004
Location: 35.3720703125, -82.8430557250976
Old Butt Knob, drop down onto shoulder
OBK005
Location: 35.3704376220703, -82.8460845947266
Spanish Oak Gap; begin climbing again
OBK006
Location: 35.3703193664551, -82.8536071777344
Dog Loser Knob. Trail descends slightly to Beech Spring, the lifeblood of the lush valley and creek below
OBK007
Location: 35.3676643371582, -82.8621292114258
Stellar views on the milky white summit of Shining Rock (5,940 ft.)
OBK008
Location: 35.3647384643555, -82.8637619018555
Turn L at gap onto Shining Rock Trail; head SE
OBK009
Location: 35.3610572814941, -82.8592987060547
Trail switchbacks down rocky prong to Shining Creek; trail follows murmuring creek
OBK010
Location: 35.3589859008789, -82.8389739990234
Cross Daniels Cove Creek
OBK011
Location: 35.3581848144531, -82.820556640625
Veer R, staying on trail up a minor gap back to the trailhead