Shining Rock Wilderness/Hike Reports/Graveyard Fields/2015-07-11
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Shining Rock Wilderness >> List of Reports >> Graveyard Fields Trail plus Devil's Courthouse >> Hike Report
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| Graveyard Fields Cyan = Shining Rock Dk Cyan = Middle Prong | |
| Trail Name Graveyard Fields et al | |
|---|---|
| Nearest City | Asheville |
| State | North Carolina |
| Trail Marking | N/A |
| Trail Use/Features |  
|
| Time expectations | |
| Hiking Time | 5 hrs 0 mins |
| Driving Time | 4 hrs 48 mins* |
| Total Time | 9 hrs 48 mins* |
| Trail Attributes | |
| Total Distance | 9.00 Miles |
| Elevation Gain | 2,700 Feet |
| Difficulty Index | 22.373 |
| Difficulty Rating | Strenuous |
| High Point | 5,725 Feet |
| Low Point | 4,925 Feet |
| Elevation Range | 475 Feet |
| Location | |
| Latitude | N35.32029 |
| Longitude | W82.84703 |
| Nearest Medical | Asheville, NC |
| Feedback | Click Here |
| Preceded by | Current hike | Succeeded by |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Face-8 | Graveyard Fields | Buzzard Rock |
Club is reviewing the itinerary for this hike, possibly adding Yellowstone Falls instead of Fryingpan Mountain Trail. The trails used for this itinerary are just outside of the Shining Rock Wilderness boundary.
This hike is a significant drive from our meetup, and as such, some hikers are seeking to explore multiple trails to ensure we spend more time hiking than driving. Hikers, be prepared to hike up to ten miles. Drivers, if you intend to return after only a portion of the total, seek like minded hikers for carpooling.
The hike will start exploring Graveyard Fields. Followed by Devil's Courthouse, and ending with a hike to a fire watch tower on Fryingpan Mountain Trail.
For difficulty reference, think of Graveyard Fields as the equivalent of hiking Lake Shore trail. For this reason, Devil's Courthouse and then Frying Pan Mountain Trail will feel more strenuous as hikers begin to get weary. Hike to the fire tower can be shortened by starting from Fryingpan Gap.
Knowledge of these trails are somewhat limited. Please be flexible with leaders regarding their need to make tough decisions on the trail in the interest of the group.
Notable reports of bear activity has closed the area to overnight stays. Pack-snatching bear closes Parkway camping area
Contents |
Meetup Information
Meet at Newtowne Shopping Center, 7/11/2015, 7:00 AM
Expect to share cost of gas with drivers, roughly 7 or 8 dollars per passenger assuming vehicle has driver and three passengers. This is solely to help offset cost to drivers for not only gas, but hidden costs such as tire wear, oil changes, car washes (especially if drive traverses dirt roads), etc. The club would rather have drivers over-compensated than under-compensated to encourage them to continue offering their services.
Newtowne Shopping Center
Old Harris Teeter Parking Lot
1545 East Broad Street
Statesville, NC 28625
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| N35.79170, W80.860300 |
|---|
- Old JR's parking lot
- Old Harris Teeter parking lot
- Starbucks
- Signal Hill Mall
Hike Leader(s)
Kevin & Belinda
Drive Information
Always check NPS website for road closures in this area from late Fall to early Spring.
http://maps.nps.gov/blri/road-closures/
Notes
- Drive times do not include stops for bathroom breaks and other miscellaneous activty.
- Elevation range is greatest single trail range. Multiple trails noted in high and low elevation points.
- Distance noted is calculated from online sources.
- Elevation gain is calculated from estimated ground elevation at specific track points.
Extracurricular Activities
Some members may take a little side trip after the hike to:
- Looking Glass Falls
- Sliding Rock
- Dolly's Dairy Bar
Trail Rating Estimates
| Description | Miles | Ascent | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graveyard Fields | 4.25 | 1,060 | 9.529 |
| Devil's Courthouse | 1.00 | 575 | 3.828 |
| Total | 5.25 | 1,635 | 13.357 |
| Fryingpan Mountain Trail | 4.00 | 1,060 | 9.266 |
| Total | 9.25 | 2,695 | 22.623 |
Compare with:
| Description | Miles | Ascent | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakers Mountain | 4.80 | 1,346 | 11.500 | |
| Graveyard Fields | 5.25 | 1,635 | 13.357 | Graveyard Fields + Devil's Courthouse |
| Lake Shore Trail | 6.31 | 1,304 | 12.830 | |
| Pilot Mountain | 8.55 | 2,044 | 18.800 | |
| Fryingpan Mountain | 9.25 | 2,695 | 22.623 | Graveyard Fields + Devil's Courthouse + Fryingpan Mountain |
| Hickory Nut Gorge | 9.08 | 2,782 | 22.990 |
Maps
Graveyard Fields
Fryingpan Mountain
