Lookout Rock Loop, Montreat

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
5/15/2022	3.2 miles	1 hour 53 minutes	889'	1.7	407

Parking: 

• Lookout Trailhead, Lookout Road

Maps:

• 100 Favorite Trails of the Smokies and the Carolina Blue Ridge (for directions)
• Pisgah Map Co, Black Mountain (for navigation)

Directions:

• See 100 Favorite Trails map

Carolina Mountain Club Challenges:

• 100 Favorite Trails hike #81

I wanted to do a short "recovery" hike the day after I finished the Foothills Trail. There was a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, so we decided to stay very local. This hike isn't really what I'd call a recovery hike though, lol. The hike up Lookout Trail has around 650' elevation feet gain in around 0.6 miles. It's a short trail and a good workout. It starts out with lots of steps, and near the top has some rock scrambling. The Lookout Trail is very busy - other trails were much quieter. This is a beautiful hike with mountain views. Mountain laurel was in bloom, and rhododendrons were just starting to bloom. We've done a similar variation of this hike before. This time we passed by a shelter. I've read there is limited camping in the area. The shelter roof had some holes in it though. Hmm. I wonder how that works. Maybe people pitch tents in the shelter? The shelter has no sides - it's not like an AT shelter.

Lots of steps climbing the Lookout Trail

And a short bit of rock scrambling

Great mountain views - I look out at these mountains from my community garden plot too

Blueberries forming

Glen coming up

A few rhododendrons were just starting to bloom

Gorgeous mountain laurels

View part way up the Lookout Trail

Krumm was glad to get out hiking, after me being away for a week

Wild geraniums

White clintonia

Camping shelter - no sides!

which had a few holes in the roof!