Big Butt Trail: Difference between revisions

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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article.
{{Trail
-->{{Infobox Trail
|Banner Image=File:Big Butt brp trailhead.JPG
                    | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
|Trail Highlight=High ridge line hike with a great name for hike discussions
                    | City = Asheville
|Trail Number=FS #161
                    | State = North Carolina
|City=Asheville
                    | Marking = White
|Trail Marking=White / Yellow / Red
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Camping}}
|Trail Use=Hiking, Camping
                    | Difficulty Rating = Hard
|Trail Features=Vistas, Mountains
                    | Trail Type = Segment
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
                    | Hike Time = 4 Hours
|Hike Time=4 hrs
                    | Trail Distance = 6 Mi
|Trail Distance=6.032 mi
                    | Round Trip Distance = 6 Mi
|Round Trip Distance=12.1 mi
                    | Elevation Gain = 2,300 Ft
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | Elevation Loss = -2,300 Ft
|High Point=5,947 ft
                    | High Point = 5,920 Ft
|Low Point=4,261 ft
                    | Parking coords = 35.748525, -82.333582
|Elevation Gain=2,198 ft
                    | Medical = Asheville, NC
|Elevation Loss=1,014 ft
}}<!--
|Elevation Change Direction=North-to-South
|Parking location=35.80973, -82.34817
|Trailhead location=35.74853, -82.33358
}}
{{Trail Map}}


End Infobox template table
__TOC__


-->{{Trail page needs
| Hide needs =
| KML = Yes
| Updated KML =
| Detail route description = Yes
| Photos = Yes
| Winter photos =
| Remove prefix =
| Update infobox = Yes
| Infobox data update = Yes
| Trail pins = Yes
| Other =
| Comment =
| Date reviewed = 10/24/2015
}}<!--
Start of Main Page -->
== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter 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. -->
The biggest challenge of this trail is telling your friends and family you're hiking to Big Butt and Little Butt and keeping a straight face about it. :-)  Once you get over the the name, this is a fantastic high ridge line, off the beaten path hike in the Black Mountains.
Difficult ridgeline hike across three peaks to work off your____.  Close views of Mt. Mitchell and Blacks Mountain chain.  Recommended in late spring (April-June) for wildflowers carpeting the trail.
Close views of Mt. Mitchell and Blacks Mountain chain.  Recommended in late spring (April-June) for wildflowers carpeting the 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. -->
From Johnson City, TN to <u>northern trailhead</u> at Highway NC-197 Cane River Gap:
#Take I-26 south into North Carolina.
#Take Exit 15 (Jupiter / Barnardsville).
#Take NC-197 left.
#Follow NC-197 15 miles to trailhead. NOTE last 4 miles is gravel road but in excellent condition.
#Trailhead on Buncombe / Yancey County line.  Yancey side of NC-197 is paved while Buncombe side is not.
#Park on grass and don't block gate.
From Johnson City, TN to <u>southern trailhead</u> on Blue Ridge Parkway:
From Johnson City, TN to <u>southern trailhead</u> on Blue Ridge Parkway:
#Take I-26 south into North Carolina.
#Take I-26 south into North Carolina.
Line 50: Line 45:
#Turn right/east onto Ox Creek Road.
#Turn right/east onto Ox Creek Road.
#Turn left/east onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for 8 miles to around MM 359 (Walker Knob Overlook/Balsam Gap).
#Turn left/east onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for 8 miles to around MM 359 (Walker Knob Overlook/Balsam Gap).
From Johnson City, TN to <u>northern trailhead</u> at Highway NC-197 Cane River Gap:
#Take I-26 south into North Carolina.
#Take Exit 15 (Jupiter / Barnardsville).
#Take NC-197 left.
#Follow NC-197 15 miles to trailhead. NOTE last 4 miles is gravel road but in excellent condition.
#Trailhead on Buncombe / Yancey County line.  Yancey side of NC-197 is paved while Buncombe side is not.
#Park on grass and don't block gate.


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
[[File:Big butt trail profile.png|thumb|right]]Blazes are sporadic.  They can be white, yellow and/or red.  Not really needed as the trail is obvious.   
The white-blazed Big Butt Trail follows the below general route.  Note that the [[Mountains-to-Sea Trail]] also shares the Walker Knob Overlook (formerly called Balsam Gap) trailhead, but has white circle blazes.
*Note that the Big Butt Trail will NOT take you to the summit of Big Butt Mountain itself.  You have to take a short 1,300 foot long spur trail to the top.  No views from the summit. A benchmark is located on a small rock there as well.


{| class="wikitable" border=1"
{| class="wikitable" border=1"
|-
|-
!Distance (mi)
!Distance (mi)
!Elevation (ft)
!Feature
!Feature
|----
|----
|0.0
|0.0
|5320
|Trailhead at Highway NC-197 Cane River Gap
|Trailhead at Walker Knob Overlook/Balsam Gap
|----
 
|1.3
|Arrive at Wilston Ridge after a 1,200 ft moderate ascent via many switchbacks
|----
 
|2.0
|Flat Spring Knob
|----
 
|2.5
|Trail leaves ridgeline and climbs on east side of Big Butt summit.
|----
|----
|0.4
 
|
|2.8
|Brush Fence Ridge
|Just before trail connects back to ridgline is the junction for the summit spur trail. Not marked and can be hard to find.
|----
|----
|1.6
 
|5715
|3.2
|Point Misery
|Ridge is knife edge with good views both east and west.  The main overlook in this section has wonderful views of the entire Black Mountain Crest.
|----
|----
|2.3
 
|
|3.5
|Little Butt
|Little Butt summit.  Steep drop to the gap is made easier with hundreds of stairs.
|----
|----
|3
 
|5920
|3.7
|Big Butt, also known as Yeates Knob
|Bottom of gap.  Steep climb to Point Misery made easier with lots of switchbacks and stairs.
|----
|----
|6
 
|
|4.2
|Highway NC-197 Cane River Gap
|Point Misery summit. Nice spruce pine summit but no views.  Old pipe marks summit.
|----
 
|5.7
|Balsam Gap Overlook on Blue Ridge Parkway.  Sign for Big Butt Trail popular with tourists taking photos of it often with their own butt showing.
|----
 
|}
|}
The hike north for first couple of miles from the parking lot is moderately easy ridgeline trail.  The climbs are for two Butt peaks.  Returning from here will encounter a steeper climb at Point Misery.  Otherwise, the trail drops down to NC-197 on a rarely used path – thus has been called a bushwack.


== 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?  -->
[http://http://nchighpeaks.org/ http://nchighpeaks.org/] maintains trail and is in excellent condition from start to finish.  Outdated online trip reports give impression of poor trail.  Been cleaned up and improved in recent years and is a delight to hike.  Stairs installed on steep climbs in gap between Little Butt and Point Misery.  Summit trail junction is hard to locate as it's not marked but the trail itself is also in excellent condition.  No views from the summit of Big Butt.
[http://nchighpeaks.org/ http://nchighpeaks.org/] maintains trail and is in excellent condition from start to finish.  Outdated online trip reports give impression of poor trail.  Been cleaned up and improved in recent years and is a delight to hike.  Stairs installed on steep climbs in gap between Little Butt and Point Misery.  Summit trail junction is hard to locate as it's not marked but the trail itself is also in excellent condition.  No views from the summit of Big Butt.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
Line 104: Line 106:
Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash.   
Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash.   


Trailhead inaccessible in winter as Blue Ridge Parkway closed.
Southern trailhead inaccessible in winter as Blue Ridge Parkway closed.


== After the Hike ==
== After the Hike ==
Line 113: Line 115:
Link to Carolina Mountain Club’s description from Blue Ridge Parkway to Big Butt and back [http://www.carolinamtnclub.org/hikedetails.asp?number=68]
Link to Carolina Mountain Club’s description from Blue Ridge Parkway to Big Butt and back [http://www.carolinamtnclub.org/hikedetails.asp?number=68]


Big Butt Forest Service Trail #161 [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110811&ttype=recarea&recid=48530&actid=50&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110190000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Appalachian+Ranger+District+-+Big+Butt+Trail+%23+161] description includes directions to north end trailhead.
Big Butt Forest Service Trail #161 [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=48530&actid=50] description includes directions to north end trailhead.


Best trail write-up found [http://www.cnyhiking.com/BRP-BigButtTrail.htm cnyhiking.com site]
Best trail write-up found [http://www.cnyhiking.com/BRP-BigButtTrail.htm cnyhiking.com site]
== 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" height="450" width="auto" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/images/Big_Butt_Trail.kml,
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/images/Big_Butt_Summit_Trail.kml">
35.748525,-82.333582~Trailhead parking at BRP~ ~MarkerA.png
35.768137,-82.337744~Point Misery~ ~MarkerG.png
35.786658,-82.346491~Big Butt~ ~MarkerG.png
35.775325,-82.343559~Little Butt~ ~MarkerG.png
35.8101,-82.348~Trailhead parking at NC-197~ ~MarkerA.png
35.7789,-82.343~Views of the entire Black Mountain Crest~ ~MarkerB.png
35.78424656845678,-82.3449891332583~Unmarked Trail to Big Butt Summit~ ~MarkerT.png
</display_map>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
<gallery>
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Other photo spot|Marker Title=Flat Spring Knob|Marker Description= |Marker Location=35.7922,-82.3426}}
Image:placeholder.jpg
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Trailhead parking at BRP|Marker Description=[[Image:Big_Butt_brp_trailhead.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=35.748525,-82.333582}}
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Other photo spot|Marker Title=Point Misery|Marker Description=[[Image:Big_Butt_point_misery.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=35.768137,-82.337744}}
</gallery>
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Other photo spot|Marker Title=Big Butt|Marker Description=[[Image:Big_Butt_benchmark_on_ground.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=35.786658,-82.346491}}
 
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Other photo spot|Marker Title=Little Butt|Marker Description=[[Image:Big_Butt_stairs_down_little_butt.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=35.775325,-82.343559}}
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]]. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Trailhead parking at NC-197|Marker Description=[[Image:Big_Butt_Cane_Break_Trailhead.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=35.8101,-82.348}}
[[Category: North Carolina]] [[Category:Hard]] [[Category:Camping]]
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Photo spot|Marker Title=Views of the entire Black Mountain Crest|Marker Description=[[Image:Big_Butt_cloudy_views.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=35.7789,-82.343}}
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Trail sign|Marker Title=Unmarked Trail to Big Butt Summit|Marker Description= |Marker Location=35.78424656845678,-82.3449891332583}}

Latest revision as of 13:26, 5 January 2020

Big Butt Trail

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Big Butt brp trailhead.JPG
Highlight High ridge line hike with a great name for hike discussions
Trail Number FS #161
Located Asheville, North Carolina
Trail Marking White / Yellow / Red
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingCamping

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

VistasMountains

Difficulty Rating Hard
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 4 hrs0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 6.032 mi9.708 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 12.1 mi19.473 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 4,261 ft1,420.333 Yards <br />1,298.753 Meters <br /> / 5,947 ft1,982.333 Yards <br />1,812.646 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 2,198 ft669.95 Meters <br /> / (1,014 ft309.067 Meters <br />) – North-to-South
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 1 trails / 10.9 mi of trail
Parking 35° 48' 35.03" N, 82° 20' 53.41" W Map
Trailhead 35° 44' 54.71" N, 82° 20' 0.89" W Map
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Trail Overview[edit]

The biggest challenge of this trail is telling your friends and family you're hiking to Big Butt and Little Butt and keeping a straight face about it. :-) Once you get over the the name, this is a fantastic high ridge line, off the beaten path hike in the Black Mountains. Close views of Mt. Mitchell and Blacks Mountain chain. Recommended in late spring (April-June) for wildflowers carpeting the trail.

How to get there[edit]

From Johnson City, TN to northern trailhead at Highway NC-197 Cane River Gap:

  1. Take I-26 south into North Carolina.
  2. Take Exit 15 (Jupiter / Barnardsville).
  3. Take NC-197 left.
  4. Follow NC-197 15 miles to trailhead. NOTE last 4 miles is gravel road but in excellent condition.
  5. Trailhead on Buncombe / Yancey County line. Yancey side of NC-197 is paved while Buncombe side is not.
  6. Park on grass and don't block gate.

From Johnson City, TN to southern trailhead on Blue Ridge Parkway:

  1. Take I-26 south into North Carolina.
  2. Take Exit 18 (Weaverville).
  3. Follow US-19 south.
  4. Turn left/east onto SR-1003 (Reems Creek Road) for just over three miles.
  5. Turn right/east onto Ox Creek Road.
  6. Turn left/east onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for 8 miles to around MM 359 (Walker Knob Overlook/Balsam Gap).

Route Description[edit]

Big butt trail profile.png

Blazes are sporadic. They can be white, yellow and/or red. Not really needed as the trail is obvious.

  • Note that the Big Butt Trail will NOT take you to the summit of Big Butt Mountain itself. You have to take a short 1,300 foot long spur trail to the top. No views from the summit. A benchmark is located on a small rock there as well.
Distance (mi) Feature
0.0 Trailhead at Highway NC-197 Cane River Gap
1.3 Arrive at Wilston Ridge after a 1,200 ft moderate ascent via many switchbacks
2.0 Flat Spring Knob
2.5 Trail leaves ridgeline and climbs on east side of Big Butt summit.
2.8 Just before trail connects back to ridgline is the junction for the summit spur trail. Not marked and can be hard to find.
3.2 Ridge is knife edge with good views both east and west. The main overlook in this section has wonderful views of the entire Black Mountain Crest.
3.5 Little Butt summit. Steep drop to the gap is made easier with hundreds of stairs.
3.7 Bottom of gap. Steep climb to Point Misery made easier with lots of switchbacks and stairs.
4.2 Point Misery summit. Nice spruce pine summit but no views. Old pipe marks summit.
5.7 Balsam Gap Overlook on Blue Ridge Parkway. Sign for Big Butt Trail popular with tourists taking photos of it often with their own butt showing.

Typical Conditions[edit]

http://nchighpeaks.org/ maintains trail and is in excellent condition from start to finish. Outdated online trip reports give impression of poor trail. Been cleaned up and improved in recent years and is a delight to hike. Stairs installed on steep climbs in gap between Little Butt and Point Misery. Summit trail junction is hard to locate as it's not marked but the trail itself is also in excellent condition. No views from the summit of Big Butt.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash.

Southern trailhead inaccessible in winter as Blue Ridge Parkway closed.

After the Hike[edit]

Misc. Information[edit]

Link to Carolina Mountain Club’s description from Blue Ridge Parkway to Big Butt and back [1]

Big Butt Forest Service Trail #161 [2] description includes directions to north end trailhead.

Best trail write-up found cnyhiking.com site

Photos[edit]





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