Waterfall Hero Hikes: Mount Mitchell State Park

Mount Mitchell is a 1,946-acre state park in Yancey County northeast of Asheville. It is about 33 miles north of Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 355 and the closest town is Burnsville to the north.

The Black Mountains, of which Mount Mitchell is a part, were formed more than a billion years ago. Over time, the erosive forces of wind and water wore down all but the erosion-resistant igneous and metamorphic rocks that make up the peak of Mount Mitchell and nearby mountains. At 6,684 feet above sea level, Mount Mitchell is the highest point in North Carolina and in the eastern United States. Six of the peaks in the Black Mountains are among the ten highest in the eastern US. The ridgeline of the Black Mountains is relatively flat and for this reason, they were thought to be a single mountain until the 1850s. Although higher than surrounding mountains, the length and breadth of the Black Mountains are smaller than nearby ranges, such as the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains. From the air, the mountains take the form of the letter "J" and run only 15 miles from Yeates Knob to Celo Knob.

Native Americans were the first to inhabit the Black Mountains region followed by European settlers. In the late 1700s, the French botanist Andre Michaux and the English botanist John Fraser (for whom the Fraser Fir is named) collected plant specimens from the region to return to their respective home countries. In 1835, Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a science professor from the University of North Carolina, journeyed to the region and estimated the height of Mount Mitchell as 6,476 feet, higher than Grandfather Mountain, which was thought to be the highest peak in North Carolina. Subsequent visits allowed Dr. Mitchell to refine his estimate to 6,672, only twelve feet different than modern measurements. In the 1850s, Dr. Mitchell returned for subsequent measurements, but fell to his death. In honor of his work, the mountain was named for Dr. Mitchell in 1858, and his grave was moved from Asheville to the mountain. In the early 1900s, logging around the mountain was taking a toll on the landscape and concerned citizens protested the destruction of the mountain landscape. North Carolina Governor Locke Craig worked to preserve the area and in 1915, a bill passed that established Mount Mitchell as the first state park and created the North Carolina State Park system. For his conservation efforts, the second highest peak in the Black Mountains, Craig Mountain, was named for the former governor.

Contact Information:

2388 State Highway 128
Burnsville, NC 28714

Phone: (828) 675-4611
Email: mount.mitchell@ncdenr.gov
GPS Coordinates: 35.7528, -82.2737

Directions:

NOTE: The Blue Ridge Parkway and other roads in the area frequently close during the winter due to snow and ice. During inclement weather, check with the park before planning a visit.

From Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway, go north to mile marker 355 and turn left onto NC-128, which leads to the park. From points east, take I-40, take exit 86 to NC-226 to Marion/Shelby. NC-226 will merge with US-221 and US-70. Bear left to stay on US-70 and after two miles, turn onto NC-80 north. Continue on NC-80 for about 16 miles then turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway and follow to mile marker 355. Use the map below to generate customized directions.

Map:

Trails:

Balsam Nature Trail:

Length: 0.75 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Blaze: White Triangle

Balsam Nature Trail is a short nature trail that starts from near the summit. The trail piggybacks along Mount Mitchell Trail for just under a half-mile then splits to the left to loop around, passing a small spring, the highest in the eastern US. The trail terminates at the summit parking lot.

Black Mountain Crest Trail:

Length: 4.3 miles (one way to Deep Gap)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Blaze: Orange Triangles

Black Mountain Crest Trail, also called Deep Gap Trail, is a rugged trail that follows the ridgeline of the Black Mountains. From the picnic area near the summit, the trail descends then ascends the saddle between Mount Mitchell and Mount Craig, the second highest mountain in the eastern US at 6,647 feet. The trail then crosses Big Tom followed by a steep descent, involving ropes. At the gap, a Big Tom Gap Trail leads steeply down to Buncombe Horse Range Trail in Pisgah National Forest. The trail then ascends Balsam Cone and then Cattail Peak. After Cattail Peak, the trail leaves the state park and enters Pisgah National Forest.

Camp Alice Trail:

Length: 0.5 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Blaze: Blue Squares

Camp Alice Trail is a spur from Old Mitchell Trail near the summit to Commissary Trail. Camp Alice was a logging camp on Mount Mitchell from the early 20th century. In the early days of the park, tourists would drive to the camp and hike the rest of the way to the summit.

Mount Mitchell Trail:

Length: 6 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Blaze: Blue Hexagons

The Mount Mitchell Trail runs from the base of the mountain at the Black Mountain Campground up to the summit of Mount Mitchell. It follows the Mountains-to-Sea Trail for most of the way. It is a steady climb up, gaining about 3500 feet of elevation gain and can be wet and slippery following rain.

Summit Trail:

Length: 0.15 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Blaze: None

The Summit Trail is a short paved trail leading from the summit parking lot to the tower.

Camping:

The state park has a small tent campground near the summit of Mount Mitchell. Above 6000 feet, camping here is a lot colder than anywhere else in the state. Sites 5 and 6 have exceptional views. Additionally, backcountry camping is allowed in Pisgah National Forest. A permit is required to leave a vehicle overnight in the park.

Points of Interest:

Mount Mitchell:

Elevation: 6,684

Mount Mitchell is the highest point in the eastern US. And with a road leading nearly to the summit, it's easily accessible. Mount Mitchell has exceptional views.

Mount Craig:

Elevation: 6,647

Mount Craig is the second highest peak. It is named for NC Governor Locke Craig and can be accessed from the Black Mountain Crest Trail.