FKT: Ryan James - Shining Rock Wilderness Circuit - 2024-12-14

I  came across this route after I had done most of these iconic trails in the Shining Rock Wilderness and thought I'd give it a go. Starting about 6 am from Camp DB, I started my way up to Deep Gap. The Art Loeb section on this route may be my favorite section of the Art Loeb. It's so amazing. Things went smoothly until Big East Fork Trail. Parts of the trail were washed out which led to some sketchy traverses and losing the trail a few times and having to buahwack back. Following that was the big push up Old Butt Knob Trail and then take the flowy Little East Fork Trail back down.

There's still damage on the trails from Helene like blow downs and flood damage on the river trails. But, the route is still doable.