Shining Creek Path and Old Butt are both stout and well earned climbs that will give your legs a workout to remember. If you want to do it the hardest way, head up Old Butt first and back down Shining Creek.
I chose to take the slightly easier (maybe) clockwise loop up Shining Creek towards Shining Rock since there was several inches of fresh snow on the trail and no path yet broken. Route finding can be difficult, as trails in the wilderness area are not blazed, and the task is even more difficult in fresh snow.
Around mile 3 I ran in to a group of hikers coming out from the previous night. They had gotten off the trail and just recently gotten back on it before I met them, one of them had lost a boot and was hiking in only a snow covered sock. Surprisingly he was in good spirits, they were on trail and could continue to follow my tracks out. Needless to say, it was a good reminder to be prepared for anything, have a map and compass, and let someone know where you’ll be heading if you are hiking solo.
Nearing the top of the climb the snow became deeper, drifting over a foot in some places. You can choose to take a quick detour to Shining Rock before heading back on the Old Butt Trail. You’ll make a short climb to Dog Loser Knob before reaching Old Butt, and heading down the often times steep and slippery trail. At this point, the snow was melting and the trail was covered in slush and ice. It made getting down slow going and very slippery. My advice would be to avoid this section during wet conditions, not only for your safety but to help preserve the trail. You’ll have a few spectacular views and flat spots to take a break on the way back down to the trailhead.
This trail is rated DIFFICULT and gains 2600ft of elevation over 4.5 miles. Trails in the Shining Rock Wilderness are not blazed. There are some signs at trail intersections. Avoid ascending or descending the Old Butt trail in wet conditions, it is slippery and will erode the trail further.