Pilot Rock and Thompson Creek loop - Pisgah National Forest, NC

My peakbagging hike on July 28 to finish all of the remaining 5K peaks in the Mount Pisgah vicinity. There are six significant 5K mountains that are hikeable in one day. Since I had already hiked Fryingpan Mountain and Mount Pisgah, I skipped those and decided to add a difficult loop courtesy of Jeff Clark at Meanderthals (check link below). First I drove past the Mount Pisgah Recreation Area to Pigeon Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and followed the Mountains-to-Sea Trail south to summit Green Knob (5,056 ft). This short but moderately steep climb was a good warmup. I drove back to Buck Spring Gap Overlook and followed the MST north past the Mount Pisgah Trailhead and climbed up to Little Pisgah Mountain. This was a short, easy bushwhack from the trail to the county high point.
Back at the car I finally grabbed my pack and headed south on the MST past the Buck Spring Lodge site then followed the Laurel Mountain Trail and Laurel Mountain Connector Trail around Little Bald Mountain. Then I began the Pilot Rock Trail, which had some great shrub tunnels. The highlight of the trail is Pilot Rock, one of the lesser known plutons in the region. The rock is steep and hazardous. If it is wet, forget about scrambling down to get a better view since you'll probably die. I carefully switchbacked my way down the rocks and took a seat admiring the Cradle of Forestry National Historic Site which encompasses Pink Beds and the South Fork Mills River watershed. Next the trail passes through a boulder field and then I took the Pilot Rock Extension Trail to the Pilot Rock cliff base. Although not as large as other plutons, Pilot Rock cliffs are still impressive.
Following Yellow Gap Rd I began the Thompson Creek Trail, which is known to be steep. It definitely lived up to its billing. At the beginning it is almost flat, and you know eventually you will have to climb 1,800 feet in less than 2 miles. When it starts climbing it really gets steep, especially after the upper creek crossing. Resuming the Pilot Rock Trail, there is still a 400-foot climb to the top of Little Bald Mountain. On the way I passed by a dead mole near the summit, which was an odd sight. I've never seen a mole in the mountains much less one lying dead out in the open. I continued on the MST south passing through Pisgah Inn. There are great views east of the area I had just hiked, and a folk concert was ongoing with many patrons drinking beer in rocking chairs. It looked like a great way to spend the evening. Unfortunately I still had to climb up Big Bald using the Frying Pan Trail, my last summit of the day. Overall the hike was tougher than expected because I included the big loop, but a good day to bag four more 5K peaks in North Carolina.
Hike #1 -- 1.9 miles with 609 feet elevation gain in 39 minutes.
Hike #2 -- 14.0 miles with 3,601 feet elevation gain in 7 hours and 20 minutes.
Hike location
goo.gl/maps/kY...
Hike link
internetbrother...

[@luckyotter623]

Awesome hike, Zachary, but please be careful on those high rock outcroppings! I don't think I could have done that!

[@RobertJones-om9kx]

Thanks for another great video Zachary from the WNC native. Please be safe out there.

[@MaBelleone1]

I always enjoy watching your videos...Thanks for sharing!

[@footpathjunkies1051]

Thanks for another great episode Zach....been to Cradle of Forestry...some trails in Panthertown...my wife went to Western Carolina University and frequented many of these areas, but that was before me 😁....that rock gave me the chills...nope, ain't happening....winter is not too far off...let me know when you head to the Croatan...thanks for sharing your hike

[@bigzach322]

We'll see about Croatan, it's not super high on my list. I'll have to see if I can do the trail in a day with a shuttle or if I want to backpack.

[@thepincushionman7063]

I just hiked about 200 miles with you and not even out of breath. Easiest hikes I've ever done 😂

[@bigzach322]

Sounds like you got off easy

[@lovinglifewithdogmanscout200]

Might do this as an overnighter. Any good camping spots? Have you ever hiked the yancey ridge trail? It looks like an interesting hike if you don’t get hit by a bike.

[@bigzach322]

Lots of camping around the bottom, Thompson Creek Trail is flat and wide for a while. Also good dry camping at the trail junctions at the top. Haven't heard of Yancey Ridge, it's not an official national forest trail.

[@lovinglifewithdogmanscout200]

@@bigzach322 #259 Yancey ridge trail grandfather district

[@bigzach322]

@@lovinglifewithdogmanscout200 Completely different area, I thought you were referring to the vicinity of this hike. It was unmaintained and abandoned for years and just recently maintained and rerouted. But I don't have much interested in checking it out.

[@lovinglifewithdogmanscout200]

@@bigzach322 yes I know

[@LewisToursVideos]

Beautiful hike! I’ve been through that area quite a few times, and it’s one of the most scenic in the eastern US. Really cool footage! I’d love to support each other’s channels! 👍😀