Shining Rock–Big East Fork Trail, 4 sights
15.4 mi · ▲ 3,363 ft · 6 hr 49 min
Shining Rock–Big East Fork Trail, 4 sights is a 15.4-mile out-and-back in Shining Rock Wilderness near Big East Fork, NC. The route reaches Shining Rock at the turnaround, 7.7 miles in. It climbs 3,363 ft, with sections as steep as 29% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Shining Rock–Big East Fork Trail, 4 sights
15.4 mi · ▲ 3,363 ft · 6 hr 49 min
Elevation 3,375–6,010 ft
Out & Back · Shining Rock Wilderness
Trailhead: Big East Fork Trail · 35.36462, -82.81682
Weather Sep 5: Partly cloudy, high 83°F / low 67° · precip 20% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:07 AM · sunset 7:56 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Big East Fork Trail, heading W.
- 3.4 miTurn right onto Greasy Cove Trail, heading W.
- 2.7 miTurn right onto Art Loeb Trail, heading NW.
- 1.4 miBear right onto Old Butt Knob Trail, heading NW.
- 0.2 miReach Shining Rock, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Art Loeb Trail, heading S.
- 1.4 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Greasy Cove Trail, heading NE.
- 2.6 miTurn left onto Big East Fork Trail, heading SE.
- 3.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.4 mi in (~237 min). Leave by 3:39 PM for the 7:56 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Big East Fork Trail Trailhead
- View Cherry Cove (MP 415.7)–Big East Fork Trail, 3 sights 11 mi · ▲ 1,878 ft
- Art Loeb Trail–Big East Fork Trail, 3 sights 13.1 mi · ▲ 2,936 ft
- Lower Falls Viewpoint–Big East Fork Trail, 3 sights 13.3 mi · ▲ 2,340 ft
- Art Loeb Trail–Big East Fork Trail, 3 sights 13.9 mi · ▲ 3,073 ft
- Grassy Cove Top–Shining Rock, 7 sights 15.9 mi · ▲ 5,032 ft
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Hikes near Big East Fork, North Carolina