Cold Mountain is one of the 6,000 foot peaks in the Great Balsams of North Carolina, and a challenging trail with spectacular wildflowers. Our trek began on the Art Loeb trailhead leading up from the Boy Scout camp. This is a shorter route, but steeper climb than coming from the other side of the Art Loeb trail. On the positive side, the 2,800 foot elevation gain affords sweeping views of the West Fork valley and the other peaks, including the Black Balsams.
Gearing up for a hike…
Three years ago, we did this same trail in the spring and logged 11 miles. This time, my Garmin Fenix 5 registered 12.3 miles, but I have found that I need to be diligent about pausing my watch if I stop. The other issue is that I am always heading off trail to take pictures, so that adds up. I have my camera on every hike when wildflowers are in bloom, though I sometimes forego the camera in the winter when it is extremely cold.
Carrying a camera on hikes and backpacking trips makes me pay attention to hauling around my camera with the least hassle and most comfort. While I can’t change the weight of my camera and lens, I can choose how to carry them. I have two different Cotton Carriers to make my journey as pleasurable as possible.
One version is a harness that provide ease of access for my camera, which slides in and out, leaving my hands free. This harness is heavy duty and distributes the weight of my camera across both shoulders. It is great for really tough trails where I need my hands and don’t want to worry about securing my camera. My harness has taken a beating over the years!
When I saw a smaller version, the Skout, on Kickstarter, I wanted to try something less substantial and bulky. This carrier works well for the warmer months of the year and accommodates donning and doffing additional clothing layers. The Skout is a triangular sling with a strap that wraps around your back and attaches to the mounting system. The Skout has become my go-to camera carrier, as it is light and versatile. Check out the Cotton Carrier systems here: https://www.cottoncarrier.com/.
Bears and Wildflowers….
Once we were all geared up, our group of three headed up the trail shortly after 9am, and we met one other group of day hikers as we ascended. The only other people on the trail were backpackers section-hiking the Art Loeb trail from Davidson River. Despite beautiful weather, it would not be crowded on the trail.
At the trailhead, there were numerous signs requiring bear cannisters due to recent bear activity. One of the backpackers told of a 400 lb bear who raided an adjacent camp’s hanging food stores- Yogi strikes again!
It was a very warm day, so getting an early start and climbing in cooler temperatures worked well for us. Much of this trail is rocky and narrow, but there is ample water. The trees provided a woven tapestry of shades of green and the understory is greening up as well.
Wildflower sneak peek…
The majority of this hike is in a rich cove forest, interspersed with rocky streamside and pine-oak-heath plant communities. It is a veritable feast for the eyes, with a variety of wildflowers found throughout the entire hike.
This time, we saw trillium, blue cohosh, Clinton’s lily, Robin’s plaintain, Solomon’s seal, false Solomon’s seal, Canada mayflower, mayapple, violets, showy orchis, bloodroot, chickweed, stonecrop, foamflower, Dutchman’s breeches, brook lettuce, wild geranium, bluets, yellow mandarin, jack in the pulpit, umbrella leaf, serviceberry, witch hobble and more.
I had to be careful where I placed my feet since I was craning my neck from side to side to see as many wildflowers as possible!
Of course, the wildflowers were in various stages of bloom, with earlier and more abundant blooms at lower elevations. There were many coves where you had to walk very carefully off-trail to avoid stepping on wildflowers. It was nothing less than heaven!
The Showy Orchis has been slow to bloom this year, and while we saw many leaves, there were fewer flowers at this point in the spring. But the leaves in the tree canopy have not yet fully emerged, so light is still reaching the understory. Here are some other images of Showy orchis in bloom: https://hikescape.org/i-like-big-blooms-theyve-sprung-at-big-ivy
Hiking to the peak…
The trail continued upward, with switchbacks and a circuitous path winding in and out of the coves. The sky was brilliant blue, punctuated by altocumulus clouds. We were thankful for a breeze and the stark cold water rushing down the mountainside.
We reached Deep Gap, rested briefly and pushed on the last 1.5 miles, gaining 1,000 feet over rocky terrain. Finally, our destination was ahead of us, and as we climbed, the landscape gave way to stunted, gnarled trees and thickets of rhododendron and laurel.
Lunch was a welcome break; we stopped to eat just below the summit and replenish our energy for the descent. It was a very rewarding day, with stellar weather and wildflowers galore.
All the same, I was glad to wrap up the day and get some rest. We decided as a group that a mileage limit might be good for Sunday hikes, especially when we all have to go to work the next day.
I hope your spring is full of wonder and nature’s beauty, whether in your own backyard or in the wilderness. Thanks for following our journey!
