Shining Rock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shining Rock |
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Shining Rock viewed from the Blue Ridge Parkway
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,040 ft (1,840 m) |
| Prominence | 320 ft (98 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Haywood County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Parent range | Great Balsam Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Shining Rock |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Shining Rock is a special mountain located in western North Carolina, a state in the United States. It is part of a larger group of mountains called the Great Balsam Mountains. These mountains are themselves a part of the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, which are inside the even bigger Appalachian Mountains range. Shining Rock stands tall as the 38th highest mountain in the eastern United States.
This mountain is found within the Shining Rock Wilderness, a protected natural area. It's located close to milepost 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic road. A popular hiking path, the Art Loeb Trail, runs very close to the top of Shining Rock. The mountain gets its name from a large, bright white rock formation near its peak. This rock is made of a mineral called quartzite, which often looks shiny in the sunlight.
The Name and Its Meaning
Shining Rock is known for its unique name. The name comes from a large, white rock that sticks out near the top of the mountain. This rock is made of a type of stone called quartzite. Quartzite is a very hard rock that often looks sparkly or "shining" when the sun hits it.
Cherokee Stories and Legends
Long ago, the Cherokee people lived in this area. They had their own name for Shining Rock, which was Datsu'nălâsgûñ'yĭ. A person who studies cultures, an anthropologist named James Mooney, learned that this name means "where their tracks are this way."
This name refers to a special rock that is said to have footprints of a powerful figure named Tsul 'Kalu and his children. Tsul 'Kalu is a giant hunter from Cherokee legends.
It's important not to confuse Shining Rock with another famous rock called Judaculla Rock. Judaculla Rock is located south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has ancient carvings on it, called petroglyphs. The name Judaculla is actually a different way of saying Tsul 'Kalu. Because of this, people sometimes get the two rocks and their stories mixed up.
Exploring the Shining Rock Wilderness
Shining Rock is located inside the Shining Rock Wilderness. A wilderness area is a place where nature is protected and kept as wild as possible. This means there are no roads, buildings, or other human-made structures. People can visit these areas to hike, camp, and enjoy nature, but they must leave no trace.
The wilderness area is a great place for outdoor adventures. Many people enjoy hiking on the Art Loeb Trail, which offers amazing views of the mountains and forests. It's a chance to see nature up close and experience the quiet beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.
