Looking Glass Rock Day Hike

**rb_daniel** · 09-17-2011, 17:15

My better half and I headed into the forest for a hike to another one of "the Rocks" here in the Pisgah Ranger District. We've avoided this one because the parking area is typically always full, and we're not the biggest fans of tourists on the trails. It was still pretty crowded today, but not too bad.

The trail is an out and back, 6.5 miles round trip with over 1700ft of elevation gain. The first half is almost entirely climbing, and the trail has 20 switchbacks (yeah, we counted). The climb is well worth it, though, because the views are spectacular. The trail spits you out on the northwest side of Looking Glass Mtn., and the view is endless and uninterrupted.

The day was perfect. Overcast and in the 60's.

Some pics:

**Bruciehi5** · 09-17-2011, 19:14

Beautifully made trail! I’m sure it’s a big no, no, but I’d love to tear around that on my mountain bike. It’s calling me! The heli pad looks a bit wonky. Tuff going on that rocky trail. I like the feet in the foreground and the view in the background that goes on forever photo. And the wide screen photo goes a long way to capturing in the moment. I like that there are no cleared bits, just trees everywhere.

**slowhike** · 09-17-2011, 19:30

Hanging Burrito.. did you paint that big "H" on the rock

tisk, tisk, tisk

Beautiful area! Thanks.

**rb_daniel** · 09-17-2011, 21:02

Originally Posted by Bruciehi5

Beautifully made trail! I’m sure it’s a big no, no, but I’d love to tear around that on my mountain bike. It’s calling me! The heli pad looks a bit wonky. Tuff going on that rocky trail. I like the feet in the foreground and the view in the background that goes on forever photo. And the wide screen photo goes a long way to capturing in the moment. I like that there are no cleared bits, just trees everywhere.

Brucie, I'm a mountain biker, too. Only the lower portion would be good for riding. The rest would just be a bunch of hike-a-bike. This trail is only open to hikers, though. It's too popular and there would be too much user conflict.

**Bruciehi5** · 09-18-2011, 01:05

Originally Posted by rb_daniel

Brucie, I'm a mountain biker, too. Only the lower portion would be good for riding. The rest would just be a bunch of hike-a-bike. This trail is only open to hikers, though. It's too popular and there would be too much user conflict.

Hike-a-bike! That sounds like hard work! Best to leave the hiker trails to the hikers. You’ve probably got some great custom MTB tracks that you’d prefer to ride anyway.

I just had a look at your blogspot... You sure know how to take a great photo! You clearly know what you are doing!

**Hangin' Burrito** · 09-18-2011, 05:03

Very nice pics, rb! Yeah, RF & I hiked that trail a couple months back when it was scorching hot.
In cooler weather it would be a great hike. Thanks for sharing, maybe I'll see you at a hang sometime.