Hap Nin Half-ish Marathon (Shining Rock Loop)

Dogs Leashed

A intermediate to difficult run with some excellent water crossing and falls. Route: Head up Old Butt to Shining Rock Gap, down to Ivestor Gap on the Art Loeb Trail, pick up Grassy Cove to Big East Fork back to the parking lot. This is a difficult, but doable, run typical of the Pisgah National Forest.

Begin this route on Shining Creek Path for the first 0.75 miles. You'll follow the trail along Shining Creek until you reach a junction with Old Butt Knob Trail #100. Both Shining Creek Path and Old Butt Knob Trail will intersect the Art Loeb Trail, but the Old Butt Knob Trail climbs more gently.

Old Butt Knob Trail #100 is a steady climb for the first couple of miles to get up to the ridgeline. If you do this trail in the winter, expect to have good views the whole way, but in summer or fall, they're bound to be obscured by the foliage. Once you have reached the ridgeline, the trail will level out and the running will be much easier. You'll go over a few knobs, where the forest opens up, before eventually reaching the access trail to Shining Rock (a very large quartz outcropping) that makes a great lunch spot with expansive views. After enjoying Shining Rock, head back to the trail and continue right (west) to find the trail's end in a junction with the Art Loeb Trail.

Follow the Art Loeb Trail south for a little under 2 miles. Then you'll intersect with Greasy Cove Trail which is a great trail for running and—though it can be steep at times—it stays relatively dry. There are some beautiful view towards the top. Descend to the Big East Fork Trail and head north, following the trail all the way back to the trailhead.

This route was set up years ago as a birthday run for the Ginge.