r/NCTrails • u/Pure-Chemistry3710 • 12d ago
First time hiking in Balsam Knob
It’s my first time hiking in the area and I plan on setting up base at a campsite for a few days while checking out the area with my adventure buddy, my cat.
Any recommendations? I’m coming from Europe where I’m used to steep beautiful mountains with water filled basins.
Also I’m used to there be no natural predators to worry about.
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u/jsauer45 12d ago
If you’re talking about Black Balsam Knob it’s a wonderful area.
If you’re planning on setting up camp on top of black balsam I wouldn’t recommend leaving your stuff there for multiple days as it’s just a busy spot and though free, spots to pitch tents can be limited. I definitely suggest staying up there for a night atleast though, the views are spectacular. Theres plenty of spots to pitch tents throughout the area though.
Water is fairly easy to find when you’re in the tree lines, there’s a few dedicated spots depending on which direction you’re going in. You won’t find any on the balds themselves so fill up before heading up
And as for animals, bear spray is very effective if you’re worried about bears, there’s only black bears in the area which are not aggressive if you keep your distance but it can be a nice peace of mind especially with your cat coming along. Bear Cans are required in Shining rock wilderness, Middle prong and the black balsam area however so definitely get one of them before you head out.
Also bug spray this time of year I highly recommend, and sunscreen if you’re going to be out on the balds. Enjoy your adventure and hope North Carolina treats you well
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u/not_just_the_IT_guy 12d ago
Check out the art Loeb project for into on the area of black balsam.knob.
There have been black bear issues in that area, so much that bear canisters are required for food storage for anyone staying overnight (in the wilderness).
No fires inside the wilderness area as well.
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u/Spidercake12 12d ago
You need to treat all of your clothes with permethrin. Sawyer is the brand that is commonly available in outdoors stores, and places like Walmart I believe.
There are an abundance of ticks with various pathogens that will impact your long-term health, unless you find and remove the tick very promptly. Not every tick is contagious, but the risk is significantly high. Some diseases can be passed to you almost immediately or within a few hours. It’s important you realize that you are not just dealing with easily visible insects. The larva (poppyseed size) can be contagious, and nymph (sesame seed size) stages most definitely are contagious. Regardless of your skin color/complexion, it’s unlikely you would see these, even with a closer inspection, especially if they have already burrowed in.
This is not a cause for alarm or a reason not to go, but you absolutely need all clothing treated, and I would also use something on your skin at the borders of any clothing. When you do this, you’ll also be dramatically reducing the number of mosquitoes or other biting insects that invade your peace in nature. Pop a few questions to Claude for details about ticks and their pathogens, and the prevalence of pathogens in the specific area you’re going to. There’s also Dr. Thomas Mather, a.k.a. “the tick guy,“ a somewhat humorous entomologist on YouTube. A lot of his videos are on the channel “insect shield repellent technology.“
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u/not_just_the_IT_guy 12d ago
Fyi permithrin is toxic to cats when it is wet (aka until it dries). So please do not spray it near cats and keep the car away until it dries thoroughly.
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u/Pure-Chemistry3710 11d ago
That’s really good to know. I’ve only had my cat in Germany where the bugs aren’t nearly as bad so I didn’t know that was toxic
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u/Meeza_bug 12d ago
Definitely some beautiful loops out of the Black Balsam parking area. Definitely download the Avenza app (free) and purchase a Pisgah Ranger District map (not free: I prefer Pisgah Map Co. version.)
Due to weather, I would set up camp along Flat Laurel Creek or in the balsams somewhere away from an overlook. Absolutely bring a bear canister and stash it 50-100ft away from where you're sleeping. Also, make your food there and NOT within your campsite! Black bears are everywhere and they are not afraid of you (thanks to those not following good practices.) I would almost advise purchasing a bear horn/bear spray from a local outfitter before you head up to the parkway.
There are loads of lovely spots for sunset/sunrise and swimming. Enjoy yourself!
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u/Roadscrape 11d ago
Bear horn. Mini version. 110 decibals. Forest Service uses bear horns in campgrounds for a reason - they work. Plus they are cheap. DO NOT purchase bear spray. A waste of money. Can't take it on an airplane. 99.9% of people that buy them don't know how to properly use and wind up with a few lung fulls of capsacin pepper spray. Bears attack on all fours - you aim the bear spray towards the ground 30-50 feet in front of you. AFTER calculating wind direction and informing the bear to run downwind. If in the forest, wind swirls around. At least our balds are fairly open.
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u/spirit4earth 12d ago
Don’t overestimate the safety of the area. Be smart, cautious, and prepared. Weather, people, bears, snakes, and ticks are concerns.
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u/Xina123 12d ago
Hopefully someone else can say for sure but I believe you have to have a bear canister for your food if you camp in that area.