Quick trip report on my originally planned thru hike of the Art Loeb trail in Pisgah National Forrest. Since the Shining Rock Wilderness area was still closed to camping, due to recent bear encounters, I had to change my plans a bit. I decided to hike as far as possible on Thursday, then turn around and walk back the same direction Friday morning. Left the trail head area from Davidson River Campground about 10:30 Thursday morning and began the journey. Made pretty good time as I climbed up towards cat gap and caesar rock mountain. Passed the butter gap shelter and made it to gloucester gap at about 3. Kept on pushing past Pilot mountain and down into farlow gap. At this point decided to turn around and hike back up to Pilot mountain and camp for the night. During the night a group of about 10 mountain bikers woke me up doing some night riding, and then about 1 am some hunting dogs tore through the area about 100 yards away, I assume dogging bears or racoons. Pretty exciting stuff Woke up at 6 am and started the trek out Stopped on the backside of Pilot to watch the sunrise then hiked back down to SR 475 and hiked out that way past the hatchery, onto 276, and back to the car by 12:15. All in all had a great time, although I had to change my plans, and can't wait to do it again. Hope you enjoy the video
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