I trained for this and studied the climb and the supplies, especially water, that I would need. Other trails from campground lead out and away from Mitchell to fire tower views from the south, so if you have time throw that in for good measure. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River. 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. Are you allowed to backcountry camp? We were a pack of 6 in our 30s and 40s and in average shape. Bob Marshall said: I hiked Mt.Mitchell for the third time this year yesterday. My group opted to do the Higgins Bald side trail. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/mount-mitchell-loop Shortly after reaching the summit, my feet and legs started to cramp up pretty bad. This hike has way too many opportunities for injury and rendering oneself unable to walk to be a good idea for solo hikers. You are on Mount Mitchell State park property now, having been on the National forest most of the route. Dinamay said: I want to hike this next week Hike from Mt.Mitchel to black mt. Access to the campground is fine, you're just not supposed to camp there. Jeff said: Just to clarify for those planning this hike, I'm not sure who the folks were that did it in 2.5-3 hours, but I wouldn't count on it. Five of the top ten highest peaks in the east adorn this lofty ridge. The trail begins at the Black Mountain Campground (operated by the U.S. Forest Service) and ends at the summit. There is water (creeks) on the way up, at the top (water fountain and concession stand) and on the way down (creeks), no matter what trail one goes on. We couldn't see any views at all. Hiked from Black Mountain Campground to Mt. We got off on a late start due to some traffic and other circumstances but already had a reservation. High wind gust side ways rain. Jim Fisher said: I am 67 years old, in pretty good shape, had wanted to hike Mt. My son passed away from cancer in February. It's an easy 1/2-mile hike to the 75-ft. waterfall, located by the Black Mountain Campground. Now, I'm not sure what they were but I'm fairly positive their mother was not a cute, cuddly house cat. The summit was 50 degrees, very windy and completely socked in and we could only stay on the observation deck for a few minutes due to the wind chill and moisture blowing on us, but it didn't matter since there was nothing to see. ...and our legs were toast! This trail goes by Mt Mitchell Museum, Mt Mitchell Observation, and Commissary Hill. Careful looking around while you're still on the move. Jordan said: @Patrick. Ascent time was 2:55. As of May 2010 neither of these are accurate. 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. to show the area you need. Numerous dead trees (killed mainly by sub-zero temperatures and high winter winds) are seen as hikers near the … Do NOT attempt this in icy/snowy conditions with your standard sedan. - See 743 traveler reviews, 745 candid photos, and great deals for Burnsville, NC, at Tripadvisor. We had Breakfast, very Good and very reasonably priced. I've read Randy Johnson's article in WNC Mag. Lilan said: Would there likely be snow on this trail by Dec. 21? Amie said: I just completed this hike Nov.2 and it was overall great. Pawel said: I think Steve sums it up really well down here. Usually Temperatures are in the Upper 50's in March within the Mount Mitchell premise. Mount Mitchell State Park Campground. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Nice hike. We sped down to the bottom because it was starting to get dark, I recommended starting really early in the day because you should not be running down the mountain as if you trip and fall off the side most likely death will result. Again, it is the people i meet that makes it such a pleasant and rewarding experience.If you aren't prepared for thousands of rock and root, maybe, this isn't for you.I met a gentleman who made it to the summit in two hours and fifty five minutes and he said he practically ran all the way. Matt said: Really glad I just found this site. Much of the forest is old-growth, changing from cove hardwoods at the lower end, to mixed hardwoods on the middle ridges, to Red Spruce and Fraser Fir stands near the summit. Mitchell trail on the way back as well. It's more strenuous than anything else! It was a very nice hike. Although steep and rough in sections, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/black-mountain-campground 18 minutes. I was definitely holding my husband back. Started at Black Mountain campground (where I set up my camp and left my car), so I was committed to hiking up and back down. I packed plenty but used more than I thought I would due to how strenuous the hike is. It took us a total of 8 hours with 1 of the hours total for rest periods. Today, this is the trail mainly used to climb Mount Mitchell. Tip: Printing this map? WNCOutdoors data is made freely available under the Give me a break! Aside from the basic survival supplies, I would recommend bringing way more water and snacks than you normally would bring. Jon said: Also to add we had finished this hike at 4 hours and about 30 mins. Mitchell is the tallest peak in the Appalachian Mountains and the Eastern U.S. which makes it a worthwhile destination for any hiker. Within the national forest that covers much of the land surrounding Mount Mitchell, two campgrounds are open to RV and tent campers from mid-April to early November, weather permitting. One of those places that stand apart from the ordinary, Mount Mitchell’s dramatic summit is the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet and was the inspiration for one of the nation’s first state parks. (Bad, bad form!! The hike starts from the somewhat remote Black Mountain Campground. This was a strenous hike for the weight I was rucking at that incline, but it was a huge victory for both of us. sources, including ensembles of our own GPS tracks, user contributed GPS tracks, official maps and GIS data from Rogers, but the forest is lovely and several of the streams charming. There are at least 2 relatively prominent creeks. It took us 6 hours and 10 minutes to complete this hike, not including time on the top. The last 2 miles downhill are when you can really feel the foot/leg fatigue. It was COLD and foggy at 9:00am. Probably as difficult as any trail we've hiked in a long, long time. Was very tough for me, but I don't hike all that much. Bring good comfortable hiking shoes but know they will be caked in mud. Ultimately I have been to almost 100 countries and this was a fairly lackluster view and experience, but a great workout. The trailhead is to the left along the gravel road. While the five fourteener's i climbed in Colorado were much higher i don't believe they were as steep a climb as Mt. Click a trail for more details and to download it individually. It seemed to take forever to descend. But there are harder trails (or hikes combining multiple trails) in the region as well. The road from Marion is not recommended for long trailers or the faint of heart. Trekking poles will take off a load on ones knees and provide balance.I met a few who were climbing without them and told me their knees were aching. Next, you'll reach the intersection with the Balsam Nature Trail, which leaves to the right. I was really nervous leading up to it. I suggest taking several bottles of water since I only took one, plus a box of Hot Tomallies candy (yum). Trail was very wet with running water on the trail in several places, lots of slippery rocks and roots, I slipped and fell once cutting and scraping my right elbow with in the first couple of miles so I slowed down and was more careful to avoid wet rocks as much as possible. In fact, some people describe it as...well, a bit jarring! Took us about 3.5-4 hours to get to summit, took 30 minute break at top, some breaks along the way for photographs, and descent took about 2.5-hours down. The weather was perfect. Our feet are killing us, but we had great weather and are happy to say we've done it! just in case! I also must say this sign was pretty depressing. 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. What would you recommend? We put a car at the top of the mountain at 9:00am. I turned 72 this past June. Glad I did the hike but don't need to do that again. Only had about 15 more minutes of daylight before I got to my car in time. View campsite map, availability, and reserve online with ReserveAmerica. Overall i did it because i was already in the area anyway ans wanted to be able to do my first +6,000 and the tallest peak on the east coast. ), but to be safe, it should be considered quite difficult unless you're certain that you're up to it. Mitchell trail. Water fountains at the top take 10 seconds to turn on, press and hold. I picked the route back up in the late 1980s when my sons were young. I took some small breaks for views but mostly kept moving at a slow and steady pace. a 9-hour round trip from the campground to summit and back is totally reasonable, i've done it myself. Tom said: Did it today in 3:45. Due to the Warmer Trends, in March it should be in the 60's & 70's. Kevin said: Just to follow up on what Mike said about gates and potentially getting stuck in the park. I enjoy this kind of stuff though, and was in awe of the backwoods. I agree with the others that the "touristy" nature of the peak is not ideal but on the bright side it's nice that particularly children and the elderly are able to enjoy a view they otherwise could not. government agencies, and field observations. 2388 North Carolina 128 Burnsville, North Carolina 28714. No hiking sticks on the way up but grabbed one for the way down. It would be a long day with about 4 hours to reach the camp at the bottom, maybe 2.5-3 hours to climb and 2.5 hour to comes back down and 4 hours drive home. This 6-mile trail requires about 4.5 hours of strenuous hiking to reach the top and 3.5 hours to return. The last 30 minutes on the way up were very trying. It is a lot of work for little reward. RV Parks. so save the speeches . We lost cell signal and got a little turned around trying to find the campground. I did start the hike at 9:30 am, but wish I would have started a bit sooner to ensure I had plenty of light. I took this trip this weekend and only had one car. Victor Road Dispersed Camping. How are the colors. We did not explore other parts of the park because (1) it was physically impossible to see anything more that 40 feet away when I was up there and (2) the ice and wind chill made me want to make a quick exit I guess it's possible if you explored the park further you might find a locked gate somehwere with no way around, but I think this is of very minimal concern. Next time I will plan ahead and we will park a car at the top and ride back down when we are done..10/10! 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