Green Knob Tower Trail

Green Knob Tower Trail (log in to submit report)
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Located	Old Fort, North Carolina
Trail Marking	White Diamond
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.	4 hrs0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	2.672 mi4.3 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 5.3 mi8.53 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	2,995 ft998.333 Yards <br />912.876 Meters <br /> / 5,060 ft1,686.667 Yards <br />1,542.288 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	2,271 ft692.201 Meters <br /> / (207 ft63.094 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	2 trails / 15.4 mi of trail
Parking	35° 43' 10.63" N, 82° 13' 26.08" W Map
Trailhead	35° 43' 10.63" N, 82° 13' 26.08" W Map
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Trail Overview

Seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Mitchell, the views from the Green Knob Lookout Tower at 5,080 ft elevation are great, especially of the Black Mountains.

How to get there

From Johnson City, TN to the north 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 small parking area and trailhead information sign.

The southern trailhead is at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 350.4 for the Green Knob Overlook.

Route Description

The trail to the Green Knob fire tower can be accessed from either end.

The south trailhead starts at the Green Knob Overlook (4760' elevation) at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 350.4. The NFS trail sign is 100 yards north of the overlook on the opposite side of the road. Follow the narrow white diamond blazed trail for half mile up 340 feet to the summit and tower.

The north trailhead begins near Black Mountain campground on South Toe River Road. It proceeds up the white diamond blazed forest service trail along Lost Cove Ridge to Green Knob and the tower. The infobox information is for this direction.

Typical Conditions

Narrow dirt trail is moderately used and somewhat steep. Leaf season for color is typically around end of September to late October. No facilities at the parking lot. Bring your own water.

Fees, Permits, etc.

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

After the Hike

Black Mountain Campground at the north trailhead 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

No camping allowed along the actual trail.

Misc. Information

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the 32' high Green Knob Fire Tower in 1932 atop the 5,080' summit. The tower has great views of the Black Mountains, Mt. Mitchell, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Currently, the top cab is locked for restoration, but the access stairs off some height to view the valley.

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