Summit Trail (Elk Knob): Difference between revisions

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{{Trail
{{Trail
|Banner Image=
|Banner Image=File:EKSP placemarker.jpg
|Trail Highlight=5,560' summit with view of northern highlands
|Trail Highlight=5,560' summit with view of northern highlands
|Park=Elk Knob State Park
|Park=Elk Knob State Park
|Trail Marking=Blue
|Trail Marking=Blue
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Difficulty Rating=
|Hike Time=1 hr
|Hike Time=1 hr
|Trail Distance=2.23 mi
|Trail Distance=2.23 mi
Line 15: Line 14:
|Elevation Loss=338 ft
|Elevation Loss=338 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=Counter Clockwise
|Elevation Change Direction=Counter Clockwise
|Parking location=36.33173,-81.68957
|Parking location=36.33173, -81.68957
|Trailhead location=36.33173,-81.68957
|Trailhead location=36.33173, -81.68957
}}
}}
{{Trail Map}}
{{Trail Map}}

Revision as of 12:36, 29 November 2019

Summit Trail (Elk Knob)

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EKSP placemarker.jpg
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

Hiking

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail


Difficulty Rating {{{Difficulty Rating}}}
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 1 hr0.0625 Days <br />60 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 2.23 mi3.589 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 2.232.23 mi <br />3.589 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type Loop
Low / High Point 1,325 ft441.667 Yards <br />403.86 Meters <br />1,607 ft535.667 Yards <br />489.814 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 338 ft103.022 Meters <br /> / (338 ft103.022 Meters <br />) – Counter Clockwise
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

Typical Conditions

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.

After the Hike

Misc. Information

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

Gallery