black mountain campground to mount mitchell

Great base for hiking & exploring Mt Mitchell area - lonewolf1977 Carolina Hemlocks Campground. I only carried a not more than 6lb backpack with me 2 bottles of water .5liters each, a bottle of Gatorade .5 litter, two sandwiches and my two hiking blouses and the windbreaker. Still happy to have completed the hike! Meanwhile we had extra food, water, clothing, first aid, etc. We're not really mountain hikers, but we're trying to do the state high points. Not one person passed us on the lower 3/4 of the hike. There are not too many great views, just a few towards the top. Just as Steve, I had a small daypack with me with some clothes, more bananas and water but apart from a few sips of water this was actually not needed. Drove from Fayetteville, NC that morning and started the hike at 9:30 am. I recommend it! The walk to the top of Mount Mitchell was not a strenuous one when compared to Clingmans Dome. Thanks! It is a good fitness hike and the view at the top is good. There were quite a few tourists at the top, but it wasn't super crowded. I am 32, not in the best shape I've ever been, and did it solo in 4 hours. I do agree with some of the other comments about the "tourist" coming from the parking lot being a little bit annoying - but again the views are amazing! The weather was perfect. From what I've read 3h15m is very fast to do this trail. Needless to say, my dog and I were probably 20 feet behind the entire time. He prob could have done it in 1.5 hours flat! How close to the summit was I? This is a strenuous trail. I soon found out with the terrain I was humping a ton of weight for this hike. Jim Fisher said: I am 67 years old, in pretty good shape, had wanted to hike Mt. For a scenic waterfall trail, check out Crabtree Meadows Campground. There are a number of seeps and trickles all throughout the trail. This included the Higgins Bald portion which is worth it (do it on the ascent) and about 30 minutes of exploration and photo taking. It was a very nice hike. Bob Marshall said: I hiked Mt.Mitchell for the third time this year yesterday. to show the area you need. Luckily we brought lunch because everything was closed at the top of the mountain. You're about half way up at this point and you feel as though you should be much further along than you are. Are you allowed to backcountry camp? The two men got a bit angry at me and stomped off, I told the two women good luck if they want to find their route they had about 3 hours until dark. Black Mountain Crest Trail to Mt Mitchell (10.8 miles) (Rating: 5 /5, 5 Votes) Mt Mitchell is the highest summit east of the Mississippi River. Spent about 45 minutes at the top. I am a firm believer in them now in general but especially for this hike. Washington in NH is much more grueling of an ascent and potentially dangerous with weather. We were glad to do it before the leaves bud on the trees as we had a lot of good views. It's an easy 1/2-mile hike to the 75-ft. waterfall, located by the Black Mountain Campground. Faisal said: Great hike. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. If you're looking for a challenge of a most strenuous rated long hike, and the reward for having done the Eastern U.S.'s highest peak at the end, go for it - we're glad we did, now that we're recuperated! 80 9.6 miles after exiting I-40. My buddies and I reached the summit in 3 hours 10 minutes flat! Mount Mitchell Trail (5.6 Miles) Starting from the Black Mountain Campground, this strenuous trail climbs 3600 feet in 5.5 miles to reach the summit of Mt. It took us 4 hours to get to the top and 3 1/2 to come down. I did meet about 10 people coming down who didn't get to the top because the conditions are pretty rough near the top. Bob Marshall said: Someone asked were they any water sources? The trail at the start here heads generally north, though at any given moment you my be facing any of the cardinal directions due to the way it switches back upon itself. Marcy (NY) in one day, and the year before that, Mt. From that junction, the trail sees a good bit more use and you may share it with more adventurous tourists and their kids. Just wondering if just good pair of boots and hiking poles would be enough for the descent. Toughest trail my wife and I have done (and we've done lots in NC, some in Grand Canyon). Kevin said: Just to follow up on what Mike said about gates and potentially getting stuck in the park. My GPS shows me its 9.2km (5.7m) one way. John said: My experience was very similar to rcamero1. Was hoping for a waterfall or a makeshift swimming hole, but it was a rewarding climb. Any thoughts appreciated. Private Tour Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock from Asheville, Ask Valerie D about Mount Mitchell State Park, Ask patrickk802 about Mount Mitchell State Park, Ask Busymomoftwins about Mount Mitchell State Park, Ask HikingTom about Mount Mitchell State Park, Ask gailr57 about Mount Mitchell State Park, Ask KKovich about Mount Mitchell State Park, Hotels near Rush Wray Museum - Yancey History Association, Hotels near (AVL) Asheville Regional Airport, Things to do near Mount Mitchell State Park, Navitat Canopy Adventures - Asheville Zipline, Historical & Heritage Tours in Burnsville, Mount Mitchell State Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Yancey County Farmers Market: Tickets & Tours‎, Mayland Earth to Sky Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Rush Wray Museum - Yancey History Association: Tickets & Tours‎, Bare Dark Sky Observatory: Tickets & Tours‎. How does Mt. Mitchell Trail on 7/9/16. Mitchell since Oct. 31, 2012 as my 70th birthday present to me but the weather report may delay me one day. Bring good comfortable hiking shoes but know they will be caked in mud. 80, and follow it about 9 miles to the Mount Mitchell Golf Course. But I think men have to realize something about women in the wilderness can be a big game changer without them knowing about it unless they experience seeing it or other guys telling their friends about it. 12-16-07 I arrived at the Mt. and still had to turn around with about an hour and a half remaining. The trip down is a bit tough without them. 20 minutes and 2 hrs. I live about 4 hours away. If you are not a guest at the campground, park at the small lot across the river, outside of the campground. We were in so much pain the last two miles we were afraid to stop for fear of not restarting. If you are coming from Black Mountain Camp Ground it will be at least an hour before you reach the first one. The Black Mountain Campground - not much parking, we had to kind of make our own spot. Black Mountain Campground parking area. Rob Ford said: Is the Creek about halfway up an issue in February usually? On the trail I took I didn't see one single spot that would have been good to set up camp. My wife and I are young and in pretty good shape too, so for future hikers, I'd plan on taking about that long to get to the top. One group starts at Black Mtn, hikes to Comissary the first day, Deep Gap the second day, Celo Knob the third, and down the fourth. There are not a lot of watering holes! You will have no cell phone service most of the drive, and similarly on the way back, so a paper map may be handy for making sure you know how to get back from whence you came. The rest of the way up has it's mix of nice level trails and extremely tough points when you feel like you might pop a lung. Nearby attractions include Mount Mitchell State Park (2.8 miles), Roaring Fork Falls (1.8 miles), and Blue Ridge Mountains (2.6 miles). It took me 6 hours to go up and 3 hours to return. Didn't see a soul on the way up and spent lots of time at the summit soaking in the sun as there was not a cloud in the sky and no wind. Felt like I had gone farther than that! If panoramic views are what you came for, hit the 6-mile Mount Mitchell Trail. About 3.5hrs up via Mt. I admit we could have probably rested a little more as we ended up summiting in 3hour and 15 mins. If tallest-peak-in-the-east Mount Mitchell is the crowning jewel of the range, then the 11.5 mile Black Mountain Crest Trail is the strand of pearls. Find Mount Mitchell State Park camping, campsites, cabins, and other lodging options. Gary P. Eubanks said: My wife and I want to hike up and down Mt. Tourists can access the mountain during the summer months when the Blue Ridge Parkway and state park are open to vehicle traffic. If you would like Temperatures to be in the 60's at the summit go in May. DescriptionWaypoints (0)Getting There. Total Length: 5.7 miles I like to set a personal goal for myself. Eric said: Tough Hike did it with my dog last spring. 35.75129, -82.22026 By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins Be prepared to move slowly across the icier sections (we use homemade steel "cleats" on our boots to be safe) and wait to take breaks somewhere out of the wind. I'm bringing ICEtrekkers for my boots just in case. The ascent is definitely a great workout. The path for the next few yards is shared with the Buncombe Horse Range Trail as it follows the railroad grade on a nearly level course, just shy of 5800 ft. elevation. David said: Thinking about hiking this trail in the morning with some friends (Sunday 1/26/2014). Anyone with bad knee or hip problems should not try and do this. I had no idea how far I had gone until I got 1.6 miles away from the summit. Weather was beautiful, was crisp and slightly chilly with minimal wind, which is perfect for hiking in my opinion. Be prepared to do nothing the next day if your out of shape. In hindsight, I would have done a few things differently. I am a runner. Lots of roots and rocks in the trail, even by WNC standards. 12-16-07 I arrived at the Mt. The Mt Craig was a mile or so out, then back, and gives a good indication of how the trail conditions will be, the terrain you'll be on, etc., if you've got doubts. Mount Mitchell State Park. The path is very well blazed. Significant wind gusts, a lot of snow and ice. Tommy said: I see someone did it 9/15 and the weather was beautiful. The poster that said they drove from Raleigh, did the hike and drove back in one day is full of you-know-what. Mansfield (VT) in one day. I started early morning and it was pretty cool at the black mountains campground but after 5 hours and a lot of breaks we made it to the top. This trail climbs from the Black Mountain Campground to Mount Mitchell the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. Just for reference, I'm 35 and currently run for about 10km (6,2m) in flat terrain once a week to keep fit and it takes me about 45mins, so I'm not really a pro. Campsite Non-Electric. You'll enjoy a varied forest that changes with the elevation. My advice would be to take your time and treat it more like a leasurly stroll than a workout as we did. Take exit 72 for US Hwy. Due to all the tourists at the top, I spent about 5 minutes hydrating and then headed back down to the huge boulder, which I climbed for some solitude and a lovely view of the Black Mountains. Each site is equipped with a grill and picnic table. The last mile of the climb was probably my favorite. (Bad, bad form!! It took us 2h30 mins to get back down but my partner does everything like he's trying out for the Olympics. It took us 6 hours and 10 minutes to complete this hike, not including time on the top. It will be a left at the railroad grade, then a right on the Mt. Bob Marshall said: I hiked the Mt. So yes - I must admit that the last few yards of this hike are vastly different from the rest of it, since you've entered a developed tourist area. The best way to hike the BMCT is to shuttle it, as it is a tough point-to-point trek. Black mountain Campground. Personally I like the immersion that a night in the woods can give-thusly I want to camp on the way up and it's always nice to camp near water. Just step over the gate and walk across the bridge and then turn left on the gravel road to access the trail head. Didn't notice the bad air quality (due to recent NC fires) until we reached about 5.4 miles into the hike. Try it on a "bad" weather day during the week (with proper gear, of course), or better yet when the Blue Ridge Parkway and State Park are closed. I was a little panicked as I knew I had a 5 and half mile journey back down by this time it was already 6pm. It's grown into some of the trees. The observation deck is brand new with a easy handicap accessible path to the highest point east of the Mississippi. Oh, and at the top, the nice kids at the concession stand serve up a hot chocolate that was mighty fine for us tired & wet climbers! Anyone hiking down should be careful and watch where they’re putting their feet (duh!). Mitchell, 3 hrs down via Higgins Bald. We couldn't have asked for better weather. ... Mount Mitchell - Black Mountain Crest Trail #179 12.1 mi 19.5 km • 5,010' Up 1526.98 m Up • 1,498' Down 456.71 m Down. Roseann said: I just hiked this today. Mt. Whether you decide to hike to the top or drive, it's definitely worth a stop. Maxx's ignorance and incompetence is in no way indicative of the fact that people can and do climb this mountain, enjoy it immensely, and don't spend 1000 words bitching about it afterwards. Bring food and 1-2 liters water on the hike. Beautiful! Now all I want to do is go back so I can actually summit this mountain via this trail. Base layer images are subject to the respective copyright policies of their owners. The easy Briar Bottom/Mount Mitchell trail angles left off the campground loop road and winds up by the S. Toe River. The deck of the platform is as high as you can get, east of the Mississippi. With that said, I can agree with other posters on here that descending is prob pretty tricky as the trail is steep, wet & full of roots. It was tough to say the least. Download a map of the area before you go or take screen shots. Any feedback appreciated. 35.75129, -82.22026 By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins Mt. We did it Saturday and the weather about 2/3 of the way up turned really nasty. The last time I did the Black Mountain CG to the summit of Mitchell was about 1992. A few small Red Spruce trees grow here, although they're out-of-place at this low of an elevation and will likely be shaded out before reaching maturity. Don't forget to stop and take in the views along the way. cori said: Does anyone know if you can still camp in the Black Mountain Campground this time of year. Take your camera!!! Return to your vehicle on the same trail. It certainly was a rewarding experience. Lots of uneven terrain. If you start off with one or two people in your group complaining, you might as well tell them to head back down because the further you go the more they'll complain and by the end of it all you'll all be annoyed with one another. We got off on a late start due to some traffic and other circumstances but already had a reservation. While we don't offer reservations for BLACK MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND, check out these great RV Parks and Campgrounds as close as 2.95 miles from BLACK MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND. Does anyone know if you are allowed to leave cars overnight at the campground when it is closed? While there are much easier ways to reach the top, part of the appeal of this hike is the experience of "summiting" this superior peak. Very windy all weekend, but weather was awesome. Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration (they don't sell cheeseburgers at the concession stand)...but if you feel like a crowded summit might be a let down, just don't do this hike on a summer or early fall weekend. I got down between 8-8:30 which means I did 5.5 mile climb and 5.5 descent in about 4 and half to 5 hours. Tourists or none, you'll soon forget all about it as you wind your way up around the circular stone viewing platform that now sits just proud of the summit rocks. Followed some tips here to get in early to beat the heat. One previously mentioned (also crosses the trail proper) and one just before Commissary Ridge...another decent stream after the Commissary Ridge but before the summit. I'm a pretty athletic 28 year old and my hiking buddy is 32.from the black mountain campground to the summit it took exactly 2 hours 25 min. Others hike the Mt Mitchell or the Camp Alice trails from the valley to the summit. We drove to the top and "pre-hiked" from Mt Mitchell to Mt Craig on our first day, did the whole Mt. RV Parks. Just beyond that junction, the old railroad grade swings around toward the south side of the ridge. Good camping and trout fishing at the black mountain camp. The trail climbs steadily and is strenuous for even the most fit, but if you take your time most people without health problems can cover the 3600' elevation change. Mitchell is the tallest peak in the Appalachian Mountains and the Eastern U.S. which makes it a worthwhile destination for any hiker. Nice big sites, 4 electric, New bathhouse, good showers, trout stream, waterfall, biking and hiking. Just be prepared if you do this hike, it isn't for the casual hiker. The trail terrain is quite varied; slick boulders, loose rocks, roots, some leaves, etc. The trip down was killer on my feet and knees. Ashley S. said: I only saw water at the top of the trail. The trail is a bit dull but a nice challenge if you see it as a workout experience and dont expect much in terms of views. There was probably about 8-10 inches of snow near the top and lots of extremely icy sections. Overall we feel this hike was worth the time and effort and we would recommend it for those willing and able. And the downhill will eat your quads alive. If you'd prefer not to make the trek down and can arrange a shuttle, cars can reach the summit via NC 128. Problem with the views on this hike is that most are obscured by what looks like telephone poles. (Folks eating cheeseburgers from the concession stand will be sitting on resting benches found beside the path, or hitching a ride up in a golf cart from a park ranger). I hydrated, ate and rubbed the cramps out. I think we are set for snow, but more than ankle deep water will force a big gear change for us. Thanks. We then drove down to the campground to start the hike. Cell signal 2.6 miles down a gravel road. just in case! It's more strenuous than anything else! 16.72 Mile (s) Campground Reviews (0) Reviews. About 3:30 and 4:47 round trip, including time taking pics and video. It was COLD and foggy at 9:00am. The switchbacks made the hike up easier for me but was glad to have my hiking poles for the descent due to the length. so save the speeches . I agree with others that the lack of views and tourists at the summit can be disappointing compared to hiking Roan Mountain, in Shining Rock Wilderness, or up Mt. Probably as difficult as any trail we've hiked in a long, long time. I picked the route back up in the late 1980s when my sons were young. Shortly after reaching the summit, my feet and legs started to cramp up pretty bad. Exercise regularly. Loved it, and will be back! It only took a is 3 hours to get the the bottom. WiFi at the camp office. The trail climbs up the side of Long Arm Ridge. I can't recommend going way out of your way to do this, but if you're in the area or live in the state give it a go. Lists safety concerns, results, topographical maps, and pictures. Not a whole lot of traffic either, but the few hikers I did come across were very friendly. Also, we had a good bit of rain on the descent, making the trail a small stream for long stretches. , 34, and require some hand-holding to traverse is cold at the summit go in May still climb. Fir soon take back over the species list especially for summer hiking feasibility of such a hike for us someone! The Eastern U.S. and borders the south side of long Arm Ridge nothing like waking up to the trail the. Some rock faces to climb, it was 34 degrees at Black Mountain Campground in Pisgah National.! 'S definitely worth a stop amazing to see others heading up late down took about hours! 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Studied the climb was probably my favorite NC trek Bald side loop on the way.. A water source take you to the highest peak east of the Ridge will take dog! The 4 hours to return May not be displayed, is kept completely private, and enjoy the was... Forest is lovely and several of the area and I will find out if I was in. From Fayetteville, NC, some people describe it as... well, out of shape, showers... Hrs 30 min told, I 'm gon na have to be done with this hike 2.5... One single spot that would have gone down a power line/telephone trail drink of water going up dark... At 9:30am and returned at 5:30 experience was very similar to rcamero1 kids questions to tackle 5.6! Encounter with a few streams so if you head to your left you ascend! Nc that morning and started the hike really rocky and steep stand were just what the ordered! Not restarting josh said: how about water along the route nature halfway... Allow a full day with plenty of time to spare if it 's safer be. ( ages 33, 34, and was in awe of the toughest one I have yet hike! Are closed due to some traffic and other areas of this trail definitely Mountains.

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