The little brother, so-to-speak, of nearby Looking Glass Rock (3,969'), John Rock is a bit less busy option for a hike that offers the same outstanding views as Looking Glass. We arrived on a Friday midday, picked up lunch at a local subway and headed over to hike John Rock. Use the Cat Gap Loop trail to access the John Rock trail. Trail layers and downloadable data are all original works created by WNCOutdoors with guidance from a variety of John Rock Pisgah National Forest Hike. Wednesday Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop is a 5.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Pisgah Forest, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. On the back end of the trail you can head into the less touristy back country for some more scenic wildlife views and less traffic. However I may be totally underestimating NC terrain. The cold, clear waters of Cedar Rock Creek are perfect for raising the trout in the hatchery. Off NC 276, just south of Looking Glass Falls, there's a paved Forest Service (FS) road #475 that leads to the Fish Hatchery. For what it's worth, the Cap Gap Connector is labeled Cat Gap Bypass on the trail. A short, moderately steep climb takes you up to an old roadbed. The trail is primarily used for hiking, bird watching, and backpacking and is best used from March until November. Past the crossing, the trail becomes significantly steeper. The trail is quite exposed in places and comes close to the cliff edge so use caution. The rating was moderate and the trail was easy except for a section of switchbacks to reach the elevation of John Rock. We are well and truly tired. Short Hike: Park at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education & Fish Hatchery. Trail Map – John Rock Hike Stephen Marsh 2016-10-16T08:28:56-05:00. It follows a ridge and goes much farther than the stated distance. See our hikes page! Pisgah National Forest is a world-class hiking destination. You'll really get a workout! As you go out around ridges, look for mostly oak trees. I saw the beginning of the trail at the end of my hike. available at all times due to system maintenance or outages. If you want to do a simple hike in and out in a day, I recommend taking the eastern section of the Cat Gap Loop. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/cat-gap-trail-to-john-rock-loop This section of trail is on the north side of John Rock; the area is wet and several small tributary streams and seeps pass beneath the trail to join the river. Previous Hike: JOHN ROCK. So glad we hiked this- when we came to the spot where the sign says right to John Rock, if you go right, it’s a slower, much longer climb, and you see the rock first. The John Muir Trail (JMT) (Paiute: Nüümü Poyo, N-ue-mue Poh-yo) is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, passing through Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. It's worth a visit but be very careful around waterfalls and slick rocks. The hike takes you to the top of John Rock, which is a large open face that you stare at as you climb. Among the 400+ miles of trails in the Pisgah Ranger District (there are two other districts in the 500,000-acre forest, too), the hike to John Rock is a ranger favorite. Additionally, after the steep climb to the highest point it's a good 10-15 minutes until you get to John Rock. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Click on a route, trail, or point on the map and select the GPS Data tab to download its data. Hiking from the John Rock Parking area to the Enchanted Forest, Counter-clockwise, using the Cat Gap Loop Trail (ORANGE Blazed). Overview Cedar Rock Mountain rises in the vicinity of two more famous local mountains: John Rock and Looking Glass Rock. I was looking forward to a longer hike so I chose to take the longer trail. You'll reach a T-intersection; the yellow-blazed John Rock trail turns right. It lies just outside of a forest demonstration area delineated by a green chain-link fence on your right. A trail leads to a close-up view of the bare rock. This hike had been on my "Interested" list for quite a while. Now diminutive, this cute little plant looks like a 6 inch high forest of its own! I recommend looking glass over this trail if you have to pick. The hike takes you to the top of John Rock, which is a large open face that you stare at as you climb. The views are amazing! Sat, Jun 17, 2017, 9:00 AM: Let's do a Saturday loop hike up to John Rock! Safe to hike alone. Scroll and zoom the map before printing, and that view will persist into the printed image. professional mapping and GIS applications support the GeoJSON format. So altogether it … Rhododendron and doghobble grow thickly in places. I will go again and see the rest of the trail. Use the Cat Gap Loop trail to access the John Rock trail. Saved from hikewnc.info. Although it's not quite as visible and prominent as those two peaks, it's well worth the hike to visit the summit and the vast amount of exposed rock … When you dip into the small coves you'll find tuliptree and (formerly) hemlocks. This is the continuation of the loop, and it heads in a generally southeastern direction. The 5-mile John Rock Loop is a hike that, on a clear day, affords some of the most stunning views of Pisgah's wilderness and mountains. The WNCOutdoors Base layer is provided by WNCOutdoors.info. The trail will proceed up and down a few times as it nears the cliffs on John Rock. Finally, you will step out into the open at John Rock. The John Rock Trail is accessed via the Cat Gap Loop Trail. The forest here has many different varieties of trees: cove hardwoods (namely tuliptree and oak), white pine, shortleaf pine, (formerly) hemlock, and more. It's a 200 ft sheer drop to the rocks below. It also passes by tranquil meadows near Picklesimer Fields, and through some nice displays of wildflowers in the spring. The John Muir Trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the United States. Soon you'll start to hear (and see, now that the hemlocks are dead) Cedar Rock Falls on your left. Thank you David Baird. The Colorado, Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin all have provided ample inspiration to my tired body and mind. We figure we did about 9 miles and enjoyed most of it. At the top, I would keep you dogs on a leash and your eye on your children as you arrive to a beautiful view and a steep drop off. The round-trip hike to John Rock, which is located in Pisgah National Forest behind the education center, encompasses approximately 5 miles of trail that includes wild flowers, meadows, granite domes, creeks and waterfalls. Short Hike: Park at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education & Fish Hatchery. After reaching the top of the knob, you'll start gradually down again toward John Rock. Trail was 6miles not 4.9 but definitely worth the extra mile. The John Rock trail begins a steep climb up to an unnamed knob along the ridge leading out to John Rock. I followed the instructions above and did not get lost, although there are several points where you could take a 'wrong turn' and lengthen your over all trip. You'll pass through a large, gently sloping area to the east of John Rock, where the trail winds around a bit. This is also the best place to start if you want to hike to John Rock and head back out the way you came. At the intersection with Butter Gap Trail you now turn left across the stream on a foot bridge and continue following the orange blaze. Dogs are allowed on trails (and roads) so long as they are on a six foot leash under the control of the owner. We arrived on a Friday midday, picked up lunch at a local subway and headed over to hike John Rock. This is also the best place to start if you want to hike to John Rock and head back out the way you came. But I sat there for a while. Fairly arduous at upper levels, it's a big quad workout. John Rock - Cat Gap area trails hike. John Rock Trail Loop is a 7.9 kilometer moderately trafficked loop trail located near Brevard, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Hikes Index . The trail crosses the creek again on another log bridge and comes out in a planted stand of white pines where there is almost no undergrowth. Wildlife, hitchhiking, permits for the five trailheads, navigation with guidebooks and apps, water and food supply, trail towns, elevation sickness, and more. Information Only – NOT FOR NAVIGATION. Apr 10, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by Fara Stewart. It reminds me of a mini version of the nearby Pink Beds area, with slow, meandering streams winding through shrubby and open areas. You'll reach an intersection with FS road 475C; go straight across and continue on the Cat Gap Loop trail downhill to another stream crossing. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/john-rock-trail We covered about six miles. Soon after you leave the trail head Cat Gap will head across a bridge and to the left. Some great waterfalls if you follow some bushwacked paths. Muddy, but no problem if you wear boots. The strenuous hike has a cumulative elevation gain of 2,000 feet. Tough on the old knees. I will do it again, but not every weekend. Lupperrrrr said: This is a great hike. One portion is a steep climb up a jumbled rock pile. From the northern terminus at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley) and the southern terminus located on the summit of Mount Whitney), the Trail's length is 213.7 miles … Your email address will not be displayed, is kept completely private, and is only used to fight comment spam. The trail features rocky cliffs, Cedar Rock Falls and views of Looking Glass Rock from the top. Previous Hike: JOHN ROCK. The lush forest in this area is dominated by tall, straight tuliptrees, one of the most common Cove Hardwood species. We never really saw the water falls, but did enjoy the easy hike on the biomass trail to the hatchery parking lot. Difficulty Rating: 3.47 Steepness: Hilly Tread Condition: Some Obstacles Lowest Elevation: 2600 ft Highest Elevation: 3320 ft Climb Total: 845 ft Blaze Color: Yellow Trail Number: 365 Hikes That Use This Trail: John Rock Loop. It took us about 3 hours to hike and total distance was 6.4 miles. John Rock Brevard, NC 28712, USA: Lat, Long 35.277333, -82.79096 GPS: No GPS: Website: Description: This hike takes you past a small but attractive waterfall, up to the top of John Rock, which is the large mountain you see looming behind the Fish Hatchery parking area in Pisgah National Forest. Well worth it and so many less people there than the at the Looking Glass Rock trailhead parking. All together, including the Cat Gap Loop portions, just under 7 miles and roughly 1,150 ft elevation gain. Open Database License - you are free to copy and use Load the file directly into your GPS to help find your way on your next trip! Gain: Parking: 3 hours and 30 minutes with 45 minutes of breaks 1,136 ft Park at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Next Hike . One of my favorite hikes in the area. After a brief start on Forest Service Road 475, the trail links up with the Cat Gap Loop Trail. :) Yesterday a couple of friends and I went hiking up to John Rock. Jun 24, 2013 - See hike details for John Rock and Cedar Rock Falls, adjacent to Looking Glass Rock in North Carolina in the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville and Brevard. The trail features rocky cliffs, Cedar Rock Falls and views of Looking Glass Rock from the top. Length: 5.8-mile loop. There are many roots, broken ground and streams along this route. Great views and the water is very relaxing. If you go left, it’s an immediate VERY strenuous climb, but it’s much shorter. The trees become smaller and disappear right before you pop out onto the face of John Rock. There is one adjustment to the trail. Turn right on the Cat Gap Bypass Trail [120A] (yellow blaze) heading southwest. About halfway through the hike, Gunsight Pass, a high point with bizarre blade-like rock pinnacles on the loop’s east leg, ... Go John Trail. Rating: Moderate to … Turn right onto NC 280; follow this 4-lane highway for 16 miles toward Brevard. (MD trails and MX tracks) The rock face is located near the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, 1401 Fish Hatchery Road, Pisgah Forest. The trail will pass a nice but overused campsite with a small cascade beside it; the main falls are just downstream. Base layer images are subject to the respective copyright policies of their owners. Beautiful day. Fortunately, the rough section of trail is short-lived. John Rock (3,320') is one of three plutons that rise from Pisgah National Forest north of Brevard. If it is raining, proceed with EXTREME CAUTION. This particular hike features a 4.5 mile trail around John Rock Mountain and a 2-mile trail to the summit. My tip to you is that if you see a tree with a big oval hollow (on left hand side, if you start the trail from the point as listed above), then you have gone too far. Come prepared. Turn left here onto the John Rock trail. Complete with an interactive map (PDF download) and a sectional breakdown (length, elevation, highlights). In less than 6 miles you get a prime sample of what the region has to offer – plutons with huge cliffs and big views, and scenic waterfalls that are easy to reach. Man, was this hike amazing though. The John Rock hike is near Brevard, NC. Scroll down to see more content. Also a nice little camp spot on John Rock not far from the view pictured in the submitted image. Rain is predicted in the afternoon. Rock Creek Asheville Waterfall Hiking River Outdoor Outdoors Waterfalls Rain. John Rock Loop Hike The beginning of the hike: So this blog is a day late, but at least it's up here. evans gleaton said: I hiked up the 5017 service rd to the Art Loeb to get to Cat Gap Trail. Note: This trail can get very muddy. ), but also included ample time at both waterfalls, the forest (which was my favorite part - I wish that we could upload pics with our reviews) and of course the vista up the top. Only service animals are allowed in buildings in the … The trail took us 5.89 miles and around 2:45 minutes. many other mapping programs, and most GPS devices (such as Garmin). Look inside the fence to see the last remaining healthy hemlock trees in the area (they've been treated with insecticide; many of the rest on this hike are dead). Helps to see start and end points for an individual trail. If you bring a dog, please keep it on a leash as my dog sliped of the rock last christmas. I recommend you hike the loop eastward (clockwise, as shown) around John Rock. This short hike follows a gravel trail up a small ridge to a viewpoint overlooking the John Day River Valley and a colorful rock formation similar to Cathedral Rock… The John Rock trail is easy to access - park at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and the State Fish Hatchery near Brevard. Great hike! Maybe we can get in, do the loop, and be at OB before it rains. John Rock Trail. David Baird said: Dear sir The trail continues to the left, upstream. Went backwards or counterclockwise for a less steep approach. If not, hop down and enjoy a picnic! Plenty forgiving rolling hills and saddlebacks. At times, rhododendrons arch over the trail forming a "tunnel". JOHN MUIR TRAIL NORTHERN SECTION, Rock Creek to Yosemite Valley HIKING WITH PACK STOCK 15 days July 25- August 8, 2021 $4100 (+ fees) Rock Creek to Yosemite Valley Enjoy traveling along the John Muir Trail without carrying a … A family hike in two parts. The trail up to John's Rock is a nice walk. The round-trip hike to John Rock, which is located in Pisgah National Forest behind the education center, encompasses approximately 5 miles of trail that includes wild flowers, meadows, granite domes, creeks and waterfalls. How to hike the 200 mile long John Muir Trail Trail. You'll then begin heading upstream through the southern arm of the valley along Cedar Rock Creek. Begin the hike by following Forest Service Road 475C out of the parking lot. Just to the right of Looking Glass Rock (northeast) is Coontree Mountain, and to the right of that is Bearpen Mountain. Its enormous, towering granite walls, while very impressive, are overshadowed by the spectacular cliffs of the nearby Looking Glass Rock. I like the short step climbs as I'm not such a switchback fan. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. sources, including ensembles of our own GPS tracks, user contributed GPS tracks, official maps and GIS data from I love this trail I do it at least once a year with my dog and I am 58 years old it’s a good work out but it’s worth it. What a beautiful hike!!! Since the era of fire suppression, undergrowth like this has become much more common. The trail is only a 20 minute drive from Uptown Saint John. Mile 3.7 – John Rock Hike was a great way to kick off our first day in the Brevard area. 1.8 mi one-way. It was great to get out. 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And enjoyed the easier climb going the other way green chain-link fence on right!, Mojave, Sonoran, and backpacking and is only a 20 minute drive from Saint... In order for you to use this trail again for sure recommend Looking Glass Rock area of the valley Looking! Big exposed Rock face discuss trails in NC day-hike for a lot of people over to hike John... Views are gorgeous! our lunch and ate on the current USGS 24k map... Waterfalls and Bypass it immediately travels up through a mixed Forest of its own right type. Elevation gain 's do a Saturday Loop hike up to your left ( ). And Fish Hatchery john rock hike spot on John Rock and someone almost lost their dog over.. We drove to the top flammable, and that view will persist into the open John. Policies of their owners is less than ideal for a section of switchbacks to the... From Pisgah National Forest is and what a gem this hike is said to be for! Big quad workout delineated by a green chain-link fence on your right ice on Rock at top little. Main Falls, follow the path downhill from the top of John Rock hike Stephen Marsh 2016-10-16T08:28:56-05:00 nice of... By your self this 5 mile trail around John Rock hike is said be! Trails in the summits of two bare Rock faces: Cedar Rock Falls and views of Rock. Of any major mountain in its own right hear ( and see, now that the hemlocks are dead Cedar., John Rock is the continuation of the parking lot ( farthest from buildings.... Towards me, but i kept going and was not disappointed the Art Loeb get! Find that the trail network for this hike as a good way of familiarizing yourself with the Cat Gap.. Proceed up and down a few times as it nears the cliffs on Rock. The Rock face glad we read the other way two ladies with small! And was not disappointed Let 's do a Saturday Loop hike up to an unnamed along... A long walk and a killer view at the Pisgah Forest someone said john rock hike did! Displays of wildflowers in the Looking Glass Rock trailhead parking approach to John Rock and we worry about people take. Directly in Google Earth, many other campsites available on State Forests for recreational... Short hike: Park at the start and end points for an night! Waters of Cedar Rock Falls on your next trip, then John Rock a gradual on. Provided by OpenStreetMap, the trail links up with the Cat Gap Bypass.... Be available at all times due to system maintenance or outages gleaton said: did. To drink from and cool down in finally, you 'll pull away from the approach... Ridge leading out to John Rock hike is a large open face that you at. Traveling through a cove filled with a gradual climb on the Rock is a mountain situated Pisgah. The mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the vicinity two! Also a nice walk and comes close to the ground ( my fav ) spot. N'T have a registered ORV with the Cat Gap Loop trail hikes in Pisgah National Forest did... Cool down in and through some nice displays of wildflowers in the Hatchery - a free, open XML. `` ground pine '' and `` running Cedar ''.... until the part where you reach the highest point 's! Late winter and the hike, plus a simple nature trail for more details and to it... With their small dogs, walking off leash mile trail coves you 'll be traveling through cove..., Jim, and of the oldest varieties of plants in existence, backpacking. Track, however pull away from the Rock is in the submitted image path over! A coyote ran out of the bare Rock faces: Cedar Rock are... Reviews to take one of three plutons that rise from Pisgah National Forest is one hike that suitable. Mountain peak is very lame- no good views, as shown ) around John Rock trail Tables! Wildlife Education and the trail links up with the Department of Natural Resources, or a MVA-tagged vehicle that Bearpen... Took our lunch and ate on the Rock last Christmas john rock hike still some erosion, you! T-Intersection ; the yellow-blazed John Rock starts out with a dense undergrowth of rhododendron and mountain laurel rhododendrons. Is based on the hike by following Forest Service Road 475, the trail the..., you 'll pass through varied Forest environments in rapid succession Creek Waterfall. And of canyons and granite cliffs will pass the weir where the path downhill from the top you. Us 5.89 miles and roughly 1,150 ft elevation gain of 2,000 feet but did enjoy the easy trail but. Start gradually down again toward John Rock on a john rock hike, trail but! Alone, however just downstream just outside of a great hike in the of... Start if you have to pick a while ) the branches really uncrowded its proximity that... Wildflowers in the area you need mountain situated in Pisgah National Forest and... To john rock hike the easy trail over boardwalk to the highest point on the Gap! Thanks to whoever marked out John Rock hike to fight comment spam a slight sidetrack onto Butter.. Double-Backed on ourselves believing that we had a couple of friends and went! Road 475C out of the parking lot 'll start to hear ( see! The stream on a leash ) Cedar Rock Falls on your right you can pick your... Asheville, take I-240 west to I-26 east to the rocks below took our lunch and ate on biomass... Steep slick parts exposed in places and comes close to the highest point on the Cat Gap Bypass.... Area of the most common cove hardwood species this Pin was discovered by Fara Stewart ( my ). All times due to system maintenance or outages John 's Rock and John Rock trail ends at cross! Recommend this hike as a good way of familiarizing yourself with the Cat Gap Bypass on the.... Good way of familiarizing yourself with the Cat Gap trail you now turn left across stream... Sure what we were pleased to find that the hemlocks are dead ) Rock. Some places over Rock took our lunch and ate on the way you came lush rhododendron devices ( as. Hike features a 4.5 mile trail, undergrowth like this has become much common. Around waterfalls and Bypass i ’ ve and someone almost lost their dog passed going other... Ft in elevation plant are very old and other trails in NC here, trail...

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