Art Loeb thru hike.

**revbknox** · 10-16-2012, 22:37

Howdy there just planning on an Art Loeb thru hike in the near future and was just wondering if any of you fine folks that have done that trail could recommend water sources other than the obvious creeks and such on the map, as well as hanging spots other than the designated shelters and camps. Of course I should state that I'll be starting at the Davidson river campground and hiking over into camp daniel Boone, hopefully coinciding with my sons scout weekend.

**nom@d** · 10-17-2012, 06:06

I was there last week, camped @ black balsam. I know its close to the road but at the bottom of the hill @ black Balsam there is a tree thats looks like its been hacked on 1000's of times about 200' off the trail, its right across the trail from a camp spot. Go into the brush there and walk in a bit there is a natural spring that we got water from. Just listen for it.

**revbknox** · 10-17-2012, 07:30

Originally Posted by nom@d

I was there last week, camped @ black balsam. I know its close to the road but at the bottom of the hill @ black Balsam there is a tree thats looks like its been hacked on 1000's of times about 200' off the trail, its right across the trail from a camp spot. Go into the brush there and walk in a bit there is a natural spring that we got water from. Just listen for it.

Thanks a bunch. Was hoping to camp up there one night

**pod** · 10-17-2012, 13:04

Did it about month ago. Went from Davidson to boyscout camp. Plenty of water first 1/3 section of trail up to butter gap. No water past that point till deep gap. At deep gap nice camp site 1/4 mile before shelter. You can drop down north side to find water. Water at deep gap was low and people were pooping upstream. Pretty bad shelter area. Stayed at other deep gap just before approach to cold mountain trail. Nice camp site with water about 1/4 mile down north side. Hope that helps.

**revbknox** · 10-17-2012, 13:22

Originally Posted by pod

Did it about month ago. Went from Davidson to boyscout camp. Plenty of water first 1/3 section of trail up to butter gap. No water past that point till deep gap. At deep gap nice camp site 1/4 mile before shelter. You can drop down north side to find water. Water at deep gap was low and people were pooping upstream. Pretty bad shelter area. Stayed at other deep gap just before approach to cold mountain trail. Nice camp site with water about 1/4 mile down north side. Hope that helps.

Thanks that is a lot of extremely helpful info

**Hawk-eye** · 10-17-2012, 13:58

Originally Posted by pod

Did it about month ago. Went from Davidson to boyscout camp. Plenty of water first 1/3 section of trail up to butter gap. No water past that point till deep gap. At deep gap nice camp site 1/4 mile before shelter. You can drop down north side to find water. Water at deep gap was low and people were pooping upstream. Pretty bad shelter area. Stayed at other deep gap just before approach to cold mountain trail. Nice camp site with water about 1/4 mile down north side. Hope that helps.

POD ... that Avatar is priceless!

**revbknox** · 10-17-2012, 14:51

Originally Posted by Hawk-eye

POD ... that Avatar is priceless!

I concur Hawk-eye. Didn't notice it til now. Also didn't compute the pooping up river bit

Will have to check my water source very carefully

**pod** · 10-17-2012, 16:14

People just don't understand sh*t flows down stream. Just keep following stream downhill to better source. Have a blast it is a beautiful trail.

**Michelle the Camper** · 10-18-2012, 10:19

Forest Service just closed Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard fields for camping due to bear encounters. Check for updates when the all clear is given.