Tennent Mountain
Tennent Mountain is a grassy bald and summit in the Great [Balsam Mountains|Great Balsams] of western North Carolina, located within Pisgah National Forest and adjacent to the Black Balsam Knob area along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The mountain is notable for its treeless summit and panoramic views.
Geography and elevation
Tennent Mountain rises to an elevation of 6,040 ft and is positioned at approximately 35.33700°N, 82.869°W. The summit is a rocky grassy bald and sits among a chain of high balds and knobs in the Blue Ridge.History and summit marker
A large summit plaque on Tennent Mountain is dedicated to Gaillard Stoney Tennent and recognizes his role in establishing organized hiking in North Carolina.Trails and access
Tennent Mountain is reached from parking along Forest Road 816 crossing near the Blue Ridge Parkway and is part of a network of trails that includes the Art Loeb Trail, Ivestor Gap Trail, and connections to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Hikers typically approach via the Art Loeb Trail north from the parking area, cross the Black Balsam balds, and continue to Tennent's summit.Several loop options that include Tennent Mountain are popular with day hikers. One frequently described route is a roughly 5-mile loop that traverses multiple balds, using sections of the Art Loeb and Ivestor Gap Trails.