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{{Trail
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article.
|Banner Image=File:Black Mountains Photos 07 Meadow between Winter Star and Gibbs.jpg
-->{{Infobox Trail
|Trail Number=FS #179
                    | Image Name = *
|Trail System=SB6k
                    | City = Asheville
|Park=Mount Mitchell State Park
                    | State = North Carolina
|Land Owner=Pisgah National Forest
                    | Marking = Orange Triangle
|Trail Marking=Orange Triangle
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}}
|Trail Use=Hiking, Camping, Climbing
                    | Difficulty Rating = Hard
|Trail Features=Vistas, Mountains
                    | Hike Time = 8
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
                    | Distance = 12
|Hike Time=8 hrs
                    | Elevation Gain = 2,400
|Trail Distance=10.88 mi
                    | High Point = 6,648
|Round Trip Distance=21.76
                    | Latitude = 35.7673
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | Longitude = -82.2645
|High Point=6,633 ft
                    | Medical = Asheville
|Low Point=3,052 ft
}}<!--  
|Elevation Gain=1,648 ft
 
|Elevation Loss=5,139 ft
End Infobox template table
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
 
|Parking location=35.76679, -82.26493
-->{{Trail page needs
|Trailhead location=35.76737, -82.26458
| Hide needs =
}}
| KML =
<!-- Convert to auto map once the other trail pages are created -->
| Updated KML = Yes
<display_map  type="terrain" width="auto" height="600" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Black_Mountains_Black_Mountain_Crest_Trail.kml,
| Detail route description = Yes
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Black_Mountains_Celo_Knob_Trail.kml,
| Photos = Yes
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Black_Mountains_Summit_Trail.kml,
| Winter photos = Yes
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Black_Mountains_Big_Tom_Gap.kml,
| Remove prefix =
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Black_Mountains_Colbert_Ridge_Trail.kml,
| Update infobox = Yes
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Black_Mountains_Grace’s_Ladder.kml,
| Infobox data update = Yes
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Black_Mountains_Woody_Ridge_Trail.kml">
| Trail pins = Yes
35.7649628007, -82.2650941309~Mount Mitchell (6,689 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_01_Mount_Mitchell.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
| Other =
35.7667944123, -82.2649348322~Mount Mitchell Parking~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Parking_01_Mount_Mitchell.jpg|150px]]~MarkerA.png
| Comment =
35.7673711330, -82.2645821535~Trailhead at Mount Mitchell~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Trailhead_01_Mount_Mitchell.jpg|150px]]~MarkerT.png
| Date reviewed = 10/24/2015
35.7738597100, -82.262404070~Rugged Trail Below Craig~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_01_Rugged_Trail_Below_Craig.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
}}<!--  
35.7773693000, -82.262131260~View From Mount Craig~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_02_View_From_Mount_Craig.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.7774878750, -82.2620208723~Mount Craig (6,652 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_02_Mount_Craig.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
35.7798993578, -82.2597768776~Big Tom (6,579 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_03_Big_Tom.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
35.7814496100, -82.259641450~Ropes Help With Descent~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_03_Ropes_Help_With_Descent.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.7853093940, -82.2582757417~Junction with Big Tom Gap Trail~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Junctions_01_Big_Tom_Gap_Trail.jpg|150px]]~MarkerT.png
35.7894185134, -82.2558697310~Balsam Cone (6,601 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_04_Balsam_Cone.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
35.7963145100, -82.2571981600~Cattail Peak False Summit Sign~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Poi_04_Cattail_Peak_False_Summit_Sign.jpg|150px]]~MarkerG.png
35.8015289680, -82.2531327046~Potato Hill (6,472 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_06_Potato_Hill.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
35.8015040300, -82.253131940~View From Potato Hill~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_04_View_From_Potato_Hill.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.8124872344, -82.2521624167~Deep Gap Campsite~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Campsite_02_Deep_Gap_Campsite.jpg|150px]]~MarkerH.png
35.8122249094, -82.2522112843~Junction with Colbert Ridge Trail~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Junctions_02_Colbert_Ridge_Trail.jpg|150px]]~MarkerT.png
35.8176817777, -82.2490050318~Winter Star Mountain (6,211 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_08_Winter_Star.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
35.8177289000, -82.2491163400~Campsite 3~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Campsite_03.jpg|150px]]~MarkerH.png
35.8192863500, -82.249137120~View Towards Roan Mountain~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_05_View_Towards_Roan_Mountain.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.8198712600, -82.249334030~Trail Relocation~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_06_Trail_Relocation.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.8269902200, -82.249583220~Meadow between Winter Star and Gibbs~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_07_Meadow_between_Winter_Star_and_Gibbs.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.8405535992, -82.2479214831~Gibbs Mountain (6,247 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_09_Gibbs_Mountain.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
35.8465440491, -82.2471993913~Junction with Woody Ridge Trail~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Junctions_03_Woody_Ridge_Trail.jpg|150px]]~MarkerT.png
35.8505397800, -82.2483829500~Junction with Celo Knob Trail~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Junctions_05_Celo_Knob_Trail.jpg|150px]]~MarkerT.png
35.8509559200, -82.249496650~View from Celo Knob meadow~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_08_View_From_Celo_Knob_Meadow.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.8508984000, -82.249338800~View from Celo Knob meadow~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_10_View_From_Celo_Knob_Meadow.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.8515752800, -82.250327170~View from Celo Knob meadow~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_09_View_From_Celo_Knob_Meadow.jpg|150px]]~MarkerB.png
35.8523799076, -82.2485352587~Celo Knob (6,331 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_11_Celo_Knob.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
35.8478309994, -82.2473941258~Percys Peak (6,223 ft)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_10_Percys_Peak.jpg|150px]]~MarkerD.png
35.8648024782, -82.2618514321~Campsite 1~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Campsite_01.jpg|150px]]~MarkerH.png
35.8691567924, -82.2764822358~Dam~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Poi_01_Dam_On_Bowlens_Creek.jpg|150px]]~MarkerG.png
35.8741984700, -82.2823612300~Trailhead at Bowlens Creek~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Trailhead_02_Bowlens_Creek.jpg|150px]]~MarkerT.png
35.8764675286, -82.2837911661~Bowlens Creek Parking~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Parking_02_Bowlens_Creek.jpg|150px]]~MarkerA.png
35.8776865469, -82.2862008209~Simmons Cemetery (alt parking)~[[Image:Black_Mountains_Cemetery_01_Simmons_Cemetery.jpg|150px]]~MarkerN.png
35.8163250672, -82.2540967126~Deer Mountain (6,110 ft)~ ~MarkerD.png
35.7653849168, -82.2648521643~Nature Center~ ~MarkerG.png
35.7663570000, -82.2655260000~Museum and Gift Shop~ ~MarkerG.png
35.7674330000, -82.2643890000~Picnic Area~ ~MarkerS.png
35.8499616480, -82.2485592698~Junction with Graces Ladder~ ~MarkerT.png
35.8491960000, -82.2477720000~Campsite 2~ ~MarkerH.png
35.7983619941, -82.2564785814~Cattail Peak (6,580 ft)~ ~MarkerD.png
</display_map>


<br />__TOC__
Start of Main Page -->
== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
One of the toughest trails in the Southeast. A rugged ridgeline hike that is a roller coaster of elevation changes which require lots of scrambling with hands, feet and sometimes ropes.  The ridge is above 6000 feet in elevation the entire way except for the big drop at Deep Gap. Your reward is spectacular views the whole way with some of views (especially the northern part) being the best in all of North Carolina (IMHO).   
One of the toughest trails in the Southeast. A rugged ridgeline hike that is a roller coaster of elevation changes which require lots of scrambling with hands, feet and sometimes ropes.  The ridge is above 6000 feet in elevation the entire way except for the big drop at Deep Gap. Your reward is spectacular views the whole way with some of views (especially the northern part) being the best in all of North Carolina (IMHO).   


No matter how experienced a hiker you are, be prepared for a slower pace than what you're used to.
No matter how experienced a hiker you are, be prepared for a slower pace than what your used to.


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->


====Southern Trailhead (Mount Mitchell State Park)====
====Northern Trailhead (Mount Mitchell State Park)====
Trailhead is at the bottom of the Mount Mitchell summit parking lot by the picnic area. (35.7667944123, -82.2649348322).  It is called "Deep Gap Trail".
Trailhead is at the bottom of the Mount Mitchell summit parking lot by the picnic area. (35.7667944123, -82.2649348322).  It is called "Deep Gap Trail".


Nice large parking area.  Note that access is during park hours only and if the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed, you can't get to it.  If you leave your car here overnight, you will need to notify a park ranger.
Nice large parking area.  Note that access is during park hours only and if the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed, you can't get to it.  If you leave your car here overnight, you will need to notify a park ranger.  


====Northern Trailhead (Bowlens Creek)====
====Southern Trailhead (Bowlens Creek)====
The Bowlens Creek trailhead is just south of Burnsville NC just off of Bolens Creek Road (1109). Parking at this trailhead is limited and a little bit confusing.
The Bowlens Creek trailhead is just south of Burnsville NC just off of Bolens Creek Road (1109). Parking at this trailhead is limited and a little bit confusing.


Line 153: Line 116:
* Crest Trail does not go over the summit
* Crest Trail does not go over the summit
* You must a take a steep, rugged side path to the top.
* You must a take a steep, rugged side path to the top.
* Summit marked with a sign nailed to a tree just to the right of the geological marker
* No benchmark but summit marked with orange ribbons
* No views
* No views


Line 290: Line 253:
== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
A difficult high elevation ridgeline hike.  Be prepared to have a slower pace than what you're used to. Take lots of water due to being more exposed to sun and wind. Weather can change rapidly.  The Black Mountains are notorious for being cloud covered most of the time and thunderstorms in the afternoon all summer. Be prepared!
A difficult challenge up and down the peaks across many boulders.  Take lots of water due to being more exposed to sun and wind. Recommendation is to start early - and get off the mountain with plenty of daylight left.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
Line 301: Line 264:
== Misc. Information ==
== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
If you hike this trail as a shuttle, the drive time between the Bowlens Creek trailhead and the Mount Mitchell parking lot is about an hour via State Route 80 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Black Mountains were named due to the dark line of spruce and fir trees that cover the ridge.
 
Excellent description and photo gallery of BMCT are on the [http://www.cnyhiking.com/BRP-BlackMtnCrestTrail.htm Central NY Hiking website].
 
Link to [https://fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110811&ttype=recarea&recid=48518&actid=63&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110340000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=National+Forests+in+North+Carolina+-+Black+Mountain+Crest+TR+179 Forest Service Trail 179] page.


A good day hike that I recommend is starting at the Bowlens Creek trailhead and hike to the top of Celo Knob and back.  It's about 9 miles round trip.  The trail up from Bowens Creek is a "normal" trail with no technical areas or rock scrambles but it is about 4 miles of unrelenting uphill the entire way. Your reward is the stunning views from the meadow below the summit of Celo Knob which are IMHO some of the best views in the entire state. The trailhead is only about 1.5 hours from Kingsport.
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<display_map type="terrain" width="auto" height="600" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Black_Mountain_Crest_Trail.kml">
35.7673, -82.2645~Southern trailhead at Mt. Mitchell SP~ ~MarkerA.png
35.764982, -82.265196~Mt. Mitchell (6684 feet)~ ~MarkerG.png
35.777540, -82.261934~Mt. Craig (6647 feet)~ ~MarkerG.png
35.789768, -82.255844~Balsam Cone (6611 feet)~ ~MarkerG.png
35.801990, -82.252450~Potato Hill (6475 feet)~ ~MarkerG.png
35.817477, -82.249231~Winter Star Mountain (6212 feet)~ ~MarkerG.png
35.841032, -82.247901~Gibbs Mountain (6224 feet)~ ~MarkerG.png
35.852338, -82.248545~Celo Knob (6327 feet)~ ~MarkerG.png
35.878109, -82.284164~Northern trailhead~ ~MarkerA.png
</display_map>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
<gallery>
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_01_Mount_Mitchell.jpg|Summit of Mount Mitchell
 
Image:Black_Mountains_Parking_01_Mount_Mitchell.jpg|Mount Mitchell Parking Lot
Image:Black_Mountains_Trailhead_01_Mount_Mitchell.jpg|Trail begins at the picnic area
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_01_Rugged_Trail_Below_Craig.jpg|It doesn't take long before the trail starts to get rough
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_02_View_From_Mount_Craig.jpg|Stunning views from Mount Craig
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_02_Mount_Craig.jpg|Mount Craig Benchmark
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_03_Big_Tom.jpg|Big Tom Benchmark
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_03_Ropes_Help_With_Descent.jpg|Some parts are so steep, you needs ropes to help
Image:Black_Mountains_Junctions_01_Big_Tom_Gap_Trail.jpg|Big Top Gap Trail
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_04_Balsam_Cone.jpg|Nice views from Balsam Cone
Image:Black_Mountains_Poi_04_Cattail_Peak_False_Summit_Sign.jpg|False summit sign.  This is NOT the summit of Cattail Peak!
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_06_Potato_Hill.jpg|Nicely made summit sign
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_04_View_From_Potato_Hill.jpg|Views like this off and on for entire trail
Image:Black_Mountains_Campsite_02_Deep_Gap_Campsite.jpg|Large camp area at Deep Gap.
Image:Black_Mountains_Junctions_02_Colbert_Ridge_Trail.jpg|Colbert Ridge Trail
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_08_Winter_Star.jpg|Winter Star Benchmark
Image:Black_Mountains_Campsite_03.jpg|Views from the campsite on Winter Star Mountain
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_05_View_Towards_Roan_Mountain.jpg|The views just don't stop.  You can see the Roan Highlands in the distance.
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_06_Trail_Relocation.jpg|nchighpeaks.org rerouted the trail in 2012 to avoid the notorious Jake's Step rock scramble.
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_07_Meadow_between_Winter_Star_and_Gibbs.jpg|While you’re taking a beating between Winter Star Mountain and Gibbs Mountain, you can pause to catch your breath and get stunning views like this.
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_09_Gibbs_Mountain.jpg|From here the trail finally calms down and is not that technical.  The views really start opening up the rest of the way to Celo Knob.
Image:Black_Mountains_Junctions_03_Woody_Ridge_Trail.jpg|Woody Ridge Trail
Image:Black_Mountains_Junctions_05_Celo_Knob_Trail.jpg|Short but rough side trail to the summit Celo Knob
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_08_View_From_Celo_Knob_Meadow.jpg|It doesn’t get much better than this.  Looking at the entire Black Mountain range.
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_09_View_From_Celo_Knob_Meadow.jpg|Looking across valley to Big Butt Mountain
Image:Black_Mountains_Photos_10_View_From_Celo_Knob_Meadow.jpg|Clouds suddenly overtake the ridge.  The weather can be pretty wild up here
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_11_Celo_Knob.jpg|No views from the summit of Celo Knob
Image:Black_Mountains_Summits_10_Percys_Peak.jpg|Percy's Peak.  Getting ready to say by by to the ridgeline.
Image:Black_Mountains_Campsite_01.jpg|Small campsite on the way down
Image:Black_Mountains_Poi_01_Dam_On_Bowlens_Creek.jpg|Unknown dam on Bowlens Creek.
Image:Black_Mountains_Trailhead_02_Bowlens_Creek.jpg|The trailhead.  Not too much further
Image:Black_Mountains_Parking_02_Bowlens_Creek.jpg|Bowlens Creek parking.  Only room for one car!
Image:Black_Mountains_Cemetery_01_Simmons_Cemetery.jpg|Alternative and larger parking at a cemetery on Bowlens Creek Road
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>
</gallery>
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
[[Category:North Carolina]] [[Category:Hard]] [[Category:Overlook]]
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