Shining Rock Wilderness and Cold Mountain: Backpacking Trip

Type of Outing: Backpack
When: FRI 12/19/2025 12:00 PM
Signup Deadline: 12/12/2025 5:00 pm
Leader: Finn Finney
Distance: 22 miles
Difficulty: R-36, Strenuous
Elevation Gain: 5026 ft.
Description: Please join me for a winter-wonder trip across the Shining Rock Wilderness area, near Canton, NC. This area boasts a quartz rock so large that it can be seen from space and plays home to the illustrious Cold Mountain, popularized by the novel by Charles Fraizer and the movie. Aside from these awesome sites, this area is resplendent with lush evergreens and some of the most awe-inspiring views in southwestern North Carolina. Our itinerary will be as follows: Day 1: Depart from the Shining Rock Trailhead to the Shining Rock Campground where we will make a basecamp (6 miles; 2493ft elev. gain). Day 2: Using day packs, we will depart basecamp and do a day-hike out to Cold Mountain and return to basecamp (10.8 miles; 2497ft elev. gain). Day 3: Depart Shining Rock Campground back to our cars. (6 miles; 36ft elev. gain) I would not consider this a beginner backpacking trip and would recommend at least intermediate experience with backpacking, as the hikes feature strenuous ascents, long miles, technical scrambles with full exposure in some places. On the return home, I’d like to offer a social hour/luncheon at Sierra Nevada Brewery for those who are inclined to join me.
Required Gear: Backpacking Gear (Tent/Sleeping Pad/Sleeping Bag/Backpack)
Max Participants: 10