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Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi river at 6,684'. Part of the appeal of this hike is "summiting" this superior peak. This hike qualifies as an accepted route for the South beyond 6000', a club which recognizes members who climb all 40 peaks above 6000' in the Southern Appalachians. This is also one of the highest climbs of any trail in the area, ascending over 3,600' from the Black Mountain Campground to Mount Mitchell's summit, so it is quite difficult. You can start at the top and hike down, but if you don't have a vehicle shuttle you'll have to come back up anyway. One good option would be to leave a vehicle shuttle at the summit parking area and hike up, then avoid the strain on the knees by driving back down. This is a description starting at the bottom going up.
Begin the hike by crossing the bridge leading into the campground. Bear left at the first intersection; from here you will follow the signs for the Mount Mitchell trail all the way to the top. Follow the gravel road toward the group camp, then turn right when the trail exits the gravel road. The climbing begins immediately. At this elevation, the forest is mostly cove hardwoods with a few hemlocks thrown in for good measure. You are ascending through a small cove which eats into Long Arm Ridge. Toward the back of the cove you'll bear right through the first of many switchbacks encountered along the way. The trail in this area heads generally north, though at any given moment it my be facing any of the cardinal directions due to the way it switches back upon itself.
Some very large trees grow in the forest here, and as you gain on the ridgeline you enter a mixed oak hardwood forest. A few small Red Spruce trees grow here, although they're out-of-place at this elevation and will likely be shaded out before reaching maturity. The footing on this section is mostly good, with a few rocky or rooty sections. After acheiving the top of Long Arm Ridge, the trail follows the ridgeline, swinging back and forth across it as you ascend. You'll break the 4000' mark on this section of trail and begin heading in a westerly direction. The trees along the ridgeline - predominantly oaks and maples - are shorter, stunted by the wind, shallow, rocky soil and lack of water.
Before long the ridge will melt into a high, steep slope of "Little Mountain", which you'll traverse. The mountain won't seem very little at this point, however. You'll reach a trail junction shortly and you can take either fork. The trails come back together soon; taking the left fork extends the hike by about 1/4 mile but takes you across Higgins Bald. At Higgins Bald, which is roughly halfway to the top, you can look down and see how far up you've come - and look up to see how far you have left to go! So it's recommended to take one fork on the way up and one on the way down; it doesn't matter in what order. The ridge looms above this field, which you'll soon begin to climb. There are many switchbacks in this area with some spectacular views back down.
The trail here passes into the northern hardwood zone, and then into the spruce-fir zone. Climbing rapidly, you'll walk through a spectacular virgin forest of tall, straight Red spruce. Seeing them growing here gives you a glimpse of what this forest used to look like, and a glimpse at why the forest was so valuable to loggers. The spruce wood was extremely resilient and sought after, so these trees were prize timber. As you continue to climb, you'll pop out on the old railroad grade that encircles much of Mount Mitchell and provided a way for the loggers to get the fruits of their labor off the mountain. Turn left at this intersection. The path for the next few yards is shared with the Buncombe Horse Range Trail and follows the railroad grade.
As you round Commissary Ridge and reach a great campsite, you'll need to turn right to begin the final 1000' climb to the top of Mt. Mitchell. The trail is well-signed. The forest now is mostly composed of imported Norway spruces but native Red Spruce and Fraser Fir soon take over. The ridge is pretty rugged, and you'll pass one nice, deep fracture cave on the way up. Open glades with spruces all around give the area an alpine-like feel. You'll eventually gain the crest of the ridge, and here the forest becomes almost purely Fraser Fir. The trees shorten near the top, attesting to their young age due to the Balsam Wooly Adelgid having taken out most of the tall, mature Firs years ago. Even-aged stands of Fir are quickly growing to replace their fallen ancestors.
Once you reach a flatter section of trail with puncheon laid across to keep your feet out of the mud, you know you're getting close to the summit! You have broken the 6000' mark and are on State property having been on the National forest most of the route. (You may notice the sign welcoming you to the state park, but I didn't last time I hiked this.) You'll reach the intersection with the Balsam nature trail, which leaves to the right. Continue straight ahead; from here the trail sees a good bit more use. You'll pass an enormous, free-standing boulder on your right and a neat cave on the left. You never really get a view of the peak until you're right below it; at this point you're nearly done. Turn left at the old museum building (onto the easy leg-stretcher summit path) and you'll soon be climbing the steps to the tower (if you have the energy!). The deck of the tower is as high as you will get east of the Mississippi. Enjoy the view, grab something to eat and get ready - because you're half way!
Return to your vehicle on the same trail. Be sure to take the other fork at Higgins Bald to enjoy the most variety!
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View Northeast - Mt. Mitchell Golf Course and Toe River Valley | ||||
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