Art Loeb Trail Backpacking Trip

August 24-27, 2023

Join us for this 4 day, 31 mile backpacking trip on the rugged and scenic Art Loeb Trail.  The Art Loeb Trail is listed as one of the 33 Best Hikes in North America by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, and for good reason!  It is a beautiful, challenging hike traveling over grassy balds, up 6000ft peaks, along bubbling creeks, and through lush forests.  We'll hike the trail southbound from Daniel Boone Scout Camp to Davidson River Campground, tackling over 9,000ft of total elevation gain and 10,000ft of total elevation loss.  Because this trail is rugged and challenging at times, it is ideal for folks who have some previous backpacking experience.  Hikers who are already comfortable on trail or have a high level of physical fitness will find this to be an incredibly rewarding first backpacking trip! 

"The level of professionalism and attention to every detail is wonderful. This is a 5 star
company and we had a fantastic time." - N.Z., Private Art Loeb Trail Backpacking Trip

Cost:

$935 per person
Payment Plans, Scholarships, and Sliding Scale Fees are available for all trips.  Please reach out to us at trips@blueridgehikingco.com for more information.

This trip will run if there are a minimum of 2 participants signed up.  The maximum group size is 6 participants.  If the trip minimum has not yet been met, we'll reach out to participants two weeks before the trip start date (August 24) to discuss options.  If you are traveling in a party of 4 or more hikers, we encourage you to consider a private backpacking trip.  You can find more information about our private trip offerings by sending us an email.

In addition to your guide, this price includes backpacking gear for the trip, all on-trail food, transportation between the meet-up location and the trailhead, and any necessary backcountry permits and fees.  Price also includes an insulated mug for each hiker.  It does not include personal items or gratuity for your guide.
 

Sign-Up Details:

In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our Trip Calendar and select the trip start date (August 24th).  You will find the trip listed there. 

Before the start of the trip, we will be in contact via email with an information packet and a form for you to fill out.  This form includes a waiver, health form, and information about gear needs and dietary restrictions.  Please complete and return this form at your earliest convenience.  The information packet also includes an itinerary of your trip and a packing list.
 

Itinerary:

Trip meets at 9am on Thursday, August 24 in Pisgah Forest, NC.

You will begin your day with a pack shakedown.  Your guide will hand out your gear, go over necessary packing items, and discuss safety, weather, and logistics for the trip. He will walk you through how to properly pack your pack, and may look in detail at the items you've packed to make sure you're not carrying too many extra items.  Around 11am, you will be shuttled to Daniel Boone Scout Camp, where you will begin your trip.

You'll hike approximately 32 miles over 4 days, ranging from 6 to 10 miles per day.  The Art Loeb Trail is notoriously rugged, with challenging navigation through the Shining Rock Wilderness, unrelenting climbs and descents, and rocky terrain.  The first half of your trip will be along the Balsam range, featuring 3 6,000ft peaks and some of the most iconic views in Western NC (including Cold Mountain and Black Balsam Knob).  After you cross the Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll descend into rolling forested terrain for the second half of the trip.  You'll finish you hike at Davidson River Campground.  Hikers wishing to join should be able to complete a 14 mile day hike with a regular daypack.

Hike generally finished around mid-afternoon on the last day.  Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities.  Please inform the admin team or your guide ahead of time if you have a time constraint the last day of your trip.

Elevation profile created with Gaia GPS. Elevation gain: ~9,000ft; Elevation Loss: ~10,000ft.
 

Trip Difficulty Rating:

Participants on this trip should have a minimum fitness level of 6 out of 10, and this trip is ideally suited for hikers with a fitness level of 7-8.  This is an intermediate trip, meaning hikers should have some previous backpacking experience, and are very comfortable on trail.  For more information about our difficulty and experience level ratings, please see our Trip Difficulty page.
 

Travel:

If you plan to fly, we recommend flying into the Asheville, NC airport.  It is about a 20 minute drive or cab ride south of downtown Asheville and 20 minutes east of Pisgah Forest where this trip meets.  Other nearby airports are Charlotte, NC (about an hour and a half drive) and Greenville, SC (about an hour drive).  A free shuttle can be provided from the downtown Asheville area the morning of the trip.  If you plan to drive or rent a car, free parking is available for the duration of the trip.

There are many hotels to choose from in Asheville, which is about a 40 minute drive from our meetup location.  Hotel options in Pisgah Forest, Brevard, and Hendersonville are also a short drive away.
 

Guide:

Your Guide for this trip will be Adam Kampouris. Born in the Catskills of NY and raised in the Blue Ridge of NC, Adam has always called the mountains of Appalachia home (well…except those 6 years in NYC, but we don’t talk about that). Having survived a childhood of blissful, unsupervised galavanting through the local woods, creeks, and hollers, he derives great joy in sharing his love of the natural world with others, and has yet to meet an outdoor activity he doesn’t like! A jack of all interests and master of none, his curiosities include local flora & fauna, mineral identification, folklore, Shakespearean verse, group singing, and pickin’ on his mandolin. When not on trail, Adam identifies as a professional stage actor, an amateur chef, and an hapless goof.
 

What we Provide:

Food: BRHC provides all on-trail food. Your guides will pass out the food for your trip on the first morning. You will be expected to carry your own individually packaged food (such as oatmeal packets) and some shared community items (such as a jar of peanut butter or a block of cheese). We try to cater to dietary requests, but options are limited because it is important to keep food lightweight. If you have food allergies or sensitivities, please notify us ahead of time. 

Individual Use Gear: BRHC provides high quality, ultralight, cottage industry backpacking gear to make your experience as comfortable as possible.  You are welcome to bring your own gear, however we strongly recommend using ours!  We offer the following five pieces of gear at no additional cost:
Backpacks - We use a lightweight 60L pack. We will ask for your height and weight in order to fit the pack appropriately to you.
Tents - We have one-person tents and two-person tents available. Please let us know if you would like to share with a friend or if you are willing to share with another hiker, and we will do our best to accommodate these requests.
Sleeping Bags - We use a 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag. We also have liners available.
Sleeping Pads - These will insulate you from the ground and provide some cushion and comfort.  We use closed cell foam sleeping pads because of their durability.
Trekking Poles - These will provide you with some added stability while hiking, and may be used to set up your tent.

Community Gear: BRHC provides all community gear for the trip, including water filters and back-up chemical treatment; camping stoves and fuel; bowls, spoons, and cups; trowels, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer; first aid kit; and map and compass.
 

What to Bring:

We will send all participants a detailed packing list before the trip. You are expected to bring your own clothing, personal gear (such as headlamps and water bottles), medications, and approved optional items. We will send a detailed packing list with your trip information packet after you book. Generally, comfortable walking shoes are better than heavy hiking boots. Please do not pack any cotton - if it gets wet, it does not dry quickly and will not keep you warm. Athletic clothes are a good option. You will need only one outfit to hike in and one outfit to sleep in, plus a raincoat, and a warm layer. Overnight temperatures can be cool at higher elevations; we recommend packing a set of baselayers, a warm hat, and a pair of lightweight gloves. You will not need a new set of clean clothes each day. You will not need any make-up, hair products, scented products or deodorant. Just bring a toothbrush and toothpaste and enjoy going all natural for the trip!
 

Cancellation Policy:

Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather.

We hike rain or shine!  While it is incredibly rewarding, backpacking is an endurance sport, and it can be challenging and/or uncomfortable at times.  Maintaining a positive mindset, even when it is uncomfortable, is key to enjoying your time in the wilderness.  During your pack shakedown, we'll ensure you have the necessities packed, and will encourage you to edit extra items.  With our focus on lightweight gear, our goal is for your pack to weigh around 25-30lbs (or no more than 25% of your body weight).

If your guide does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip.  Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip.  Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 15-20% of trip price.

If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach us by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.