Summit Trail (Elk Knob)

Summit Trail (Elk Knob) (log in to submit report)
Highlight	5,560' summit with view of northern highlands
Park	Elk Knob State Park
Located	Todd, North CarolinaLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking	Blue
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail
Difficulty Rating	Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail.	2 hrs0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	1.829 mi2.943 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 3.6 mi5.794 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type	In-and-Out
Low / High Point	4,567 ft1,522.333 Yards <br />1,392.022 Meters <br /> / 5,550 ft1,850 Yards <br />1,691.64 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	962 ft293.218 Meters <br /> / (0 ft0 Meters <br />) – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	No other Trails within 5 mi
Parking	36° 19' 54.23" N, 81° 41' 22.45" W Map
Trailhead	36° 19' 54.23" N, 81° 41' 22.45" W Map
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Trail Overview

Trail at the newest state park in North Carolina to 5,560' summit with view of northern highlands.

In 2002, 5540′ Elk Knob was purchased by The Nature Conservancy and later conveyed to the State of North Carolina as first a natural area, then a state park. Initially the summit could be reached by a very steep gravel road, but some excellent trail construction work has resulted in completion of a new, hardened sidehill trail not unlike the A. T. heading up Round Bald. The new trail leads 2 miles to the top of Elk Knob which has two very nice overlooks, one at the summit looking north towards Mt. Rogers and the Grayson Highlands and one a little below the top looking south towards Grandfather and Roan Mountains. This is a great wildflower hike with many trillium in early May and Gray’s lilies and flame azalea in June.

How to get there

From Johnson City, TN Longer, but easier drive is:

1. Take US321 over to Boone, NC.
2. Take NC194 north out of Boone for just over four miles.
3. Turn onto Meat Camp Road and travel just over five miles.
4. Turn right at state park sign and enter on gravel road
5. The parking area at the sharp bend in the road is the trailhead.

Park address is 5564 Meat Camp Road Todd, NC 28684-9549

Route Description

Well built, blue blaze trail to the views at the summit. New summit trail replaces the old steep rocky jeep road. The new summit trail is a longer route but has several switchbacks and thus a more gradual way to the top. As the trail winds its way up, it will cross the old road from time to time. The old jeep road is still available for hiking if you want to but the summit trail is much easier.

The north view feature spectacular views of the entire Amphibolite Range north of Boone with Mount Rogers and Whitetop in Virginia also viewable. On extremely clear days it's possible to see Pilot Mountain way off near Winston Salem.

The south view features 3 ski resorts (Beach, Sugar, Appalachian Ski), Grandfather Mountain, Roan Highlands, and the Black Mountains. On extremely clear days, it's been reported that Mount Guyot in the Smokies is visible!

Distance (mi)	Feature
0.0	Trailhead
0.9	Neat tree that looks like it's growing on a rock out of thin air
1.1	Bench with a good view north towards "The Peak" in Ashe County
1.9	Trail arrives at top. Go left for the south view, go right for north view and the true summit

Fees, Permits, etc.

No fees at this time. Camping is not allowed.

Park Hours
November - February: 8AM - 6PM
March, April, May, September and October: 8AM - 8PM
June - August: 8AM - 9PM
Trail closes 15 minutes before the park entrance gate is locked.

Misc. Information

Link to state park webpage, park map, and back-country trails map.

Gallery

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