Mount Mitchell Trail: Difference between revisions

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                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}}  
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}}  
                     | Difficulty Rating = Difficult
                     | Difficulty Rating = Difficult
                     | Hike Time = 3-5
                     | Hike Time = 3-4
                     | Distance = 11
                     | Distance = 5.6
                     | Elevation Gain = 3,750
                     | Elevation Gain = 3,750
                     | High Point = 6,684
                     | High Point = 6,684
                     | Latitude = N35°45.105
                     | Latitude = N35°45.105
                     | Longitude = W82°13.298
                     | Longitude = W82°13.298
                     | Medical = *
                     | Medical = Marion
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
                     | googlemap =  
                     | googlemap =  
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== 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. -->
While anyone can reach the top of Mt. Mitchell (the highest peak in eastern USA) by driving to the park, a real adventure awaits those who climb 3,670 ft up the eastern face of the mountain.  Counts for bagging Mt. Mitchell as a SB6K peak.
While anyone can reach the top of Mt. Mitchell (the highest peak in eastern USA) by driving to the park, a real adventure awaits those who climb 3,670 ft up the eastern face of the mountain.  Counts for bagging Mt. Mitchell as a SB6K peak.  Also park of Section 9 of the [Mountains-to-Sea Trail].


== 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. -->
There are three primary access points... work in progress
From Johnson City, TN to the northern trailhead:
#
From Johnson City, TN to the southern trailhead:
From Johnson City, TN to the southern trailhead:
#Take I-26 south to NC Exit 9.
#Take I-26 south to NC Exit 9.
Line 40: Line 35:
#Turn right/NW onto Toe River Road.
#Turn right/NW onto Toe River Road.
#After ~3 miles, find Black Mountain Campground.
#After ~3 miles, find Black Mountain Campground.
A shuttle will take an hour to set up, if you just want to hike up:
#Head SW on Toe River Road for 5 miles.
#Turn right/SW onto Blue Ridge Parkway and travel just over 3 miles.
#Turn right/NW onto NC-128 for 5 miles.
#Return to trailhead. 


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Starting the Black Mountain campground, the trail starts as a series of switchback up into the virgin forest.  Continuing up, Commissary Ridge is reached after four miles.   
Starting the Black Mountain campground, the trail starts as a series of switchback up into the virgin forest.  Continuing up, Commissary Ridge is reached after four miles.  Trail ends at the observation tower on Mt. Mitchell.
 


The distance and time in the infobox are for just up travel.  Round trip would be 11-12 miles over 5-6 hours.


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
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== 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? -->
[http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/main.php Mt. Mitchell State Park] is open:
Nov-Feb 8AM to 6PM
Mar-Apr 8AM to 8PM
May-Aug 8AM to 9PM
Sep-Oct 8AM to 8PM


== Maps ==
== Maps ==

Revision as of 20:46, 28 September 2011


File:*
Trail Name Mount Mitchell Trail
Nearest City *
State North Carolina
Trail Marking {{{Marking}}}
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png
Difficulty Rating Difficult
Hiking Time 3-4"-4" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property.
Distance, round-trip 5.65.6 mi <br />9.012 km <br />
Climb/Descent Elevation 3,7503,750 Feet <br />1,143 Meters <br /> / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.
High Point 6,6846,684 Feet <br />2,228 Yards <br />2,037.283 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Marion
Trip Reports Click Here
Loading map...
Show Large Map


Trail Overview

While anyone can reach the top of Mt. Mitchell (the highest peak in eastern USA) by driving to the park, a real adventure awaits those who climb 3,670 ft up the eastern face of the mountain. Counts for bagging Mt. Mitchell as a SB6K peak. Also park of Section 9 of the [Mountains-to-Sea Trail].

How to get there

From Johnson City, TN to the southern trailhead:

  1. Take I-26 south to NC Exit 9.
  2. Take US-19E east for 21 miles to Micaville.
  3. Take NC-80 south for 12 miles.
  4. Turn right/NW onto Toe River Road.
  5. After ~3 miles, find Black Mountain Campground.

A shuttle will take an hour to set up, if you just want to hike up:

  1. Head SW on Toe River Road for 5 miles.
  2. Turn right/SW onto Blue Ridge Parkway and travel just over 3 miles.
  3. Turn right/NW onto NC-128 for 5 miles.
  4. Return to trailhead.

Route Description

Starting the Black Mountain campground, the trail starts as a series of switchback up into the virgin forest. Continuing up, Commissary Ridge is reached after four miles. Trail ends at the observation tower on Mt. Mitchell.

The distance and time in the infobox are for just up travel. Round trip would be 11-12 miles over 5-6 hours.

Typical Conditions

Well worn hard packed trail. Not recommend for winter or after hard rain as the path can be quite slippery.

Remember to take clothing layers as it can be warm at the foot, but much cooler at the top.

Fees, Permits, etc.

No fees or permits required. No bikes, ATV, or horses allowed on this trail.

After the Hike

At the southern trailhead, Black Mountain Campground has 43 campsites for $19/day. Open April 14, 2011 - October 31, 2011, with 2012 season to be similar mid-April to end of October. Check in/out time is 2PM. Drinking water, flush toilets, and showers available. FS website

Misc. Information

Mt. Mitchell State Park is open: Nov-Feb 8AM to 6PM Mar-Apr 8AM to 8PM May-Aug 8AM to 9PM Sep-Oct 8AM to 8PM

Maps

<googlemap version="0.9" lat="35.758" lon="-82.243" type="terrain" zoom="13" width="725" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Mount_Mitchell_Trail.kml

(G) 35.764982, -82.265196 Mt. Mitchell (6684 feet) (A) 35.751748, -82.221637 Black Mountain Campground </googlemap>

Photos