Cold Mountain Trail Spring Shining Rock Wilderness Area

**Richard Pettit** · 05-13-2023, 18:42

Don't know if this is the correct place for this post, but here it is anyway. I am planning a trip to the Shining Rock Wilderness Area in the Pisgah NF in western North Carolina. It has been a decade since I have been there. Does anyone on this forum know if the spring on the Cold Mountain Trail is still flowing?

**possum daddy** · 05-13-2023, 19:16

I’m going in a few days and can report back. There was a decent trickle on the way up 3 months ago, and less rain then

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**BlazeyJ** · 05-13-2023, 19:21

Keep in mind Bear Canisters are required there now if you’re backpacking.

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**DocTheo** · 05-14-2023, 17:20

Originally Posted by BlazeyJ

Keep in mind Bear Canisters are required there now if you’re backpacking.

Wow, really? It's definitely been a while since I've been there, then. When did they change that?

Not that it matters - their park, their rules.

**BlazeyJ** · 05-14-2023, 19:07

Originally Posted by DocTheo

Wow, really? It's definitely been a while since I've been there, then. When did they change that?

Not that it matters - their park, their rules.

Looks like it was 2015.

https://www.themountaineer.com/outdo...7c4acc8a4.html

I still haven’t been able to camp there yet as I’ve been stubborn about buying a canister for a few years, but I’m willing to purchase one just for Shining Rock if nothing else. I could see them making this a rule in some areas along the AT in the near future between Georgia and VA.

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**Richard Pettit** · 05-14-2023, 19:12

Thanks. I appreciate your input. I'm planning a weekend trip, parking at boy scout camp, camping along Little East Fork then up to Shining Rock. Go through the Narrows to Cold Mountain, 2nd night on Cold Mountain. It would be nice to have water when I get there

**Richard Pettit** · 05-14-2023, 19:19

Yeah, I read about that. Going to pick up a Bear Vault 425 before I go. Trying to keep my total pack weight less than 25lbs for the trip. That's not going to be helpful. My old food bag weighs a whopping 27 grams. The BV425 is 800 grams.

**BlazeyJ** · 05-14-2023, 19:24

Originally Posted by Richard Pettit

Yeah, I read about that. Going to pick up a Bear Vault 425 before I go. Trying to keep my total pack weight less than 25lbs for the trip. That's not going to be helpful. My old food bag weighs a whopping 27 grams. The BV425 is 800 grams.

Yup. There’s definitely no way of avoiding that weight sadly. That being said I’d recommend checking out the Gossamer Gear bare boxer. It’s a bit lighter and less bulky than the 450. I’ve always received packages from them within 5 business days of ordering but I do live in TN.

Also, if you get a chance to report back on the water source after the trip…would love to be able to map it on GAIA for whenever I finally make the trip out there. Hard to find much info on Cold Mountain. Safe travels!

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**Twistytee** · 05-15-2023, 11:02

Sunset from Cold Mountain is breathtaking. The bear cans in Shinning Rock Wilderness is a fallout of its popularity with day hikers and visitors who have been cavalier with leaving waste and leftover food within easy reach of wildlife. It’s a shame, but it’s beginning to extend to other areas of the Pisgah as well. I’ve heard rumors that this requirement may get extended to all of Pisgah.

Some shots I took from Cold Mountain on my last visit:

DSC02517 by Twistytee, on Flickr

DSC02522 by Twistytee, on Flickr

**possum daddy** · 05-18-2023, 21:41

N 35.409744° W 82.862370°

Coordinates for spring right off trail on the way to the peak. Not too far before the trail breaks East. Running 5/18. Requires some patience

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