About the Hike

Hike Description

Contact leader via email for reservation. This hike in the cool high elevations is perfect for a hot summer day. We will park along the side of FS 816 where the MST crosses and we will hike up to Black Balsam Knob, a SB6K peak, then down to a parking lot and over to Sam Knob. After we ascend Sam Knob with its 360-degree views, we will return via the same trail. We will continue the hike through high meadows on the Flat Laurel and Little Sam Trails. If the timing works out, we can have lunch and dangle our feet in the creek. After lunch, we will take a side trail to Devils Courthouse and then back to the MST. We will return via the MST to FS 816 and our cars. This hike is 53 of the 100 Favorite Trails.Topos: Sam Knob

Scout Report

Jim, David, Dianne and I scouted this hike Friday July 17. We started the hike on the MST off FS816 toward Black Balsam, then went down a side trail down to the parking lot and over to Sam?s Knob. Since we had storms predicted for the afternoon we by passed Sam Knob. We continued on to the Laurel Creek crossing with dry feet. We continued toward Devils Couthouse via Littke Sam Trail. Some of the trail shows erosion from Hurricane Helene and subsequent storms . The trail is doable but we took our time on the wet rocks. We enjoyed great views from Devils Courthouse. Our return to FS816 was met with a lot of overgrowth but we managed to get through it and find our way through the beautiful dark Spruce

Hike Number
242
Hike Leader
Judy Magura
Hike Co-Leader
Jim Magura
Canceled
Yes
Group
All-Day Weekend
First Meeting Place
Tanger Outlets parking lot behind Waffle House off Exit 33 of I-26 at 08:30 AM
Second Meeting Place
N/A
Rating
B-A ?
Total Elevation Gain (Feet)
1800
Challenges
South Beyond 6000
Drive Distance
60