The Transylvania Times -

Pisgah Map Company has been partnering with FIND Outdoors (formerly the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association – CFAIA) for the last year to create a new map for the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness Areas within Pisgah National Forest. After the discontinuation of the US Forest Service-created Shining Rock Wilderness Map, FIND recognized the need for an updated version that additionally-focuses on the safety of the wilderness users. With FIND being a non-profit with a mission of recreation and education, it worked well to partner with Pisgah Map Company for the creation of a new map, and its content to highlight this amazing area as a premier place to safely recreate, while learning about the significance of its history.

Shining Rock Wilderness Area is located within a remote region of the southern Appalachian Mountains bordered by Highway 215 to the west, Highway 276 to the east and the Blue Ridge Parkway to the south.

Middle Prong Wilderness Area is located North of the Blue Ridge Parkway and west of Highway 215. These two US Forest Service-managed landscapes are rich in waterfalls and angling opportunities, holding the headwaters of the Pigeon River. Endless Hiking exists along numerous footpaths, including the Art Loeb Trail and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Scenic trails connect the summits of Cold Mountain, Shining Rock, Black Balsam Knob and Tennant Mountain. Stunning views treat motorists along the Blue Ridge Parkway and infinite solitude awaits those who choose to trek into the backcountry. Expert paddlers enjoy Big East Fork of the Pigeon after a heavy rain, and Ivestor Gap's grassy meadows are perfect for a casual summer picnic.

FIND Outdoors and Pisgah Map Company are pleased to announce that the map is now available for purchase at several local outfitters - including the Cradle of Forestry - along with Pisgah Map Company's website and the Avenza Maps smartphone app. These wilderness areas have long been popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, and are included within Pisgah Map Company's Pisgah Ranger District map, however this new product focuses on the wilderness areas themselves, providing detailed information on the complex network of trails, points of interest, access and landforms.

Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness Areas embody the rugged spirit and tenacious ambiance of the southern Appalachians. Pisgah Map Company and FIND Outdoors invite you to respectfully explore these frosted peaks and foggy coves, and discover a wild not often found in this region of the country.

FIND Outdoors

Forest Inspired Nature Discovery (FIND) maintains and operates outdoor recreation, education, and camping facilities across the southeast and beyond, to help you connect with nature. Through this connection, we hope to instill good stewardship of natural resources, so that together, we can preserve our forests for future generations. Learn more at http://www.gofindoutdoors.org.

Pisgah Map Company

Since 2009, Pisgah Map Company has been putting our Western North Carolina roots to work for our fellow trail bums. With a unique fusion of elegant design and trail-born intuition, PMC builds the best maps on the market – the go-to for anyone going outside. Learn more at http://www.pisgahmapcompany.com.

(Henderson enjoys exploring waterways and mountains by boat and bike. Most at home amongst greenery and gradient, Jack lives simply in Brevard, working remotely as a cartographer and conservation planner for several non-profit organizations.)