"After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, which is the most horrible thing in the world."
--Oscar Wilde on Absinthe
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nswilcox_16 - Mar 31, 2020 4:43 pm Date Climbed: Feb 15, 2020
Had to get rescuedMy friend and I got stuck about 600 yards below the summit, we didn't have ice tools and there was about a 150ft ice wall above us. Couldn't downclimb because the vegetation was so thick we couldn't see where we where going. It was a tremendous learning experience and it just goes to show you need to respect the mountain no matter how tall or short it is. Once the weather has warmed up I'm going back to redeem myself.
CMStinson - Mar 21, 2020 5:53 pm Date Climbed: Oct 13, 2018
next up after Gibbs...After visiting the top of Gibbs, we took a lunch break then headed north to Celo. The unofficial trail was easy to find, as was the true summit, also marked with a wooden sign. Great second summit for the day, and #32 of the SB6K peaks for me.
technicolorNH - Nov 20, 2018 8:41 pm Date Climbed: Nov 19, 2018
Up the Woody Ridge TrailThis was the third and last summit of the day, after Winter Star and Gibbs. The herd path is easy to spot off the Black Mountain Crest Trail on the south side of the mountain and the summit is clearly marked with a sign. Eight hours total for the day, with some trail maintenance (mostly branch and tree removal) on the way down. With regards to the Woody Ridge Trail, it is very steep for the southeast, but nothing that will surprise you if you've done anything like Borah Peak, the Devil's Path in the Cats, or the northern Presidentials. I'd rate it Class 2 myself, since although I wasn't crawling, I was monkey gripping the trees on the way down with a purpose!
eric-griz - May 13, 2014 11:02 am Date Climbed: May 12, 2014
Last Peak of the DayHIked all the way to Celo from the parking area at Mt. Mitchell. My thighs were cramping on the way back. This hike really is as difficult as advertised.
hightinerary - Mar 8, 2014 12:10 pm
One-wayMy first hike. I did a point-to-point, finishing atop Mt. Mitchell. At that time I was not yet afflicted with peak-bagger's disease, so I don't know if I made sure to stand on the high point.
JamesLautzenheiser - Jun 1, 2012 6:49 pm Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2012
Woody Ridge TrailBeautiful trail and awesome views! There was a homeless guy with two dogs living out of his van at the trailhead. I was a little freaked out at first but I ended up talking to him for 6 hours. There is a neat community garden at the last house on the road. Trail passes high mountain bogs, too!
sprosseda - Nov 30, 2010 6:53 am Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2010
Celo and Gibbs, Woody RidgeTook Woody Ridge trail up to crest, then manways to top of Celo and Gibbs. Very rugged and steep trail, good views on rock outcrops and crest. Very enjoyable, 5 hours round trip.
MarkDidier - Jun 14, 2010 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2010
Via Bowlens CreekIt unfortunately rained on and off throughout the hike, and the views near the top were completely socked in. I'm sure it's beautiful on a clear day.
The trail is definitely tough to negotiate. It wasn't as steep as I was expecting, but the trail was overgrown and there were plenty of downed trees. I wondered at times if we were hiking or bushwhacking.
Koonsy - Apr 28, 2010 7:11 pm
Bowlens CreekFairly easy and simple hike up but the weather sucked bad, rain, wind and no clear views.
TomSellick - Oct 26, 2009 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Oct 25, 2009
Lives up to its reputationUp Bowlens Creek - what a climb, especially with a heavy pack. Camped near Horse Rock, freezing cold. Next day (summit day) was some of the most perfect fall weather I've ever seen. Solid trail to the top - benchmark must be covered with leaves / dirt. Actually, one of my favorite 6ers so far.
cgwalters - Apr 12, 2009 12:54 pm Date Climbed: Mar 21, 2009
stopped byCame up Horse Rock, went over to Celo Knob (usually only walk by, on my coverage of the Ridge Crest Trail).
Now and again, I will go up a non-supported trail paralleling Horse Rock, coming out by Gibbs Mtn, but it in not marked.
montanachris - Dec 16, 2008 10:36 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2008
Up Bowlens Creek......to some solitude in the south? Yes! Didn't see another soul and loved the alpine feel of the meadows up top!
wyattw - Aug 26, 2007 10:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
woody ridge trailA very nice hike and steep enough to be interesting. Nice views and a great meadow up high for lunching, but best of all there were blackberries everywhere! There's one good thing about August in the South.
Theonestar - Aug 26, 2007 12:11 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
Via Woody Ridge Trailnot easy, but done-The descent was the worst part in my opinion.
StarMan - Aug 9, 2007 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Mar 24, 2007
Steep!via the Woody Ridge Trail
Cortez - Jan 28, 2007 8:27 pm Date Climbed: Jan 27, 2007
Celo & Gibbs via Woody Ridge, January 27, 2007Bloody hell!! This had to have been one of the steepest hikes I have ever done. The last mile and a half of the Woody Ridge Trail before its confluence with the Black Mtn. Crest trail is brutal. Whoever designed this trail did not believe in switch-backs. Complicating the vertical ascent was the thick layers of ice on some of the rocky portions of the trail plus the loose mud from the snow melt. It took my wife and I 3 1/2 hrs to get up and about an hour & 5 min. to get back to the trailhead.
GAHikerGirl - Apr 20, 2006 10:15 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2005
Some Crazy-Assed Whacking...But follow your instincts and you'll get there. It takes patience. We found a camera near the summit!
mlandau3 - Aug 28, 2005 2:04 pm
Route Climbed: Woody Ridge Trail Date Climbed: August 27, 2005I concur that it's a leg burner, particularly the middle third (4200' to 5200'). But it's doable (4 hrs up and 2 down).
e-doc - Aug 17, 2005 11:39 am
Route Climbed: Bowlens Creek Date Climbed: december 2004A nice dayhike from Bowlens Creek. This stretch of trail is the last one I've hiked in the Blacks. A dusting of snow below foot of snow up high. Nice view and bushwhacked off back to Bowlens Creek trail. Try Woody's Ridge trail, a leg burner.
BobSmith - Jul 5, 2005 11:08 am
Route Climbed: Black Mountain Crest Trail from Deep Gap to manway. Date Climbed: July 3, 2005One of the toughest hikes of my career. The Crest Trail from Deep Gap to Celo Knob (and return) is the ruggedest route I've had to negotiate. Lots of extreme drops and climbs, with some patches requiring the use of ones hands to make the scrambles.
In addition, I was dogged all day by thick cloud cover, and heavy downpours on my return to Deep Gap to pack up my campsite and make the hike over the highest of the sixers to Mount Mitchell.
Well, I bagged Celo Knob, but I can't say it was a pleasure.