Hiked Mt Mitchell with a friend when I first moved to NC. If I remember correctly, we took the Mt Mitchell Trail. It started out as a cloudy day and quickly turned into a very rainy day and poured on us most of the way...still a fun hike though.
jbslist - Dec 13, 2006 5:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2005
Number 1
Drove up with mom, on a picture postcard perfect day. 1 down 49 to go!!
The view from here is specatacular. Last time I was up there it was snowing. One amazing mountain!!
Thomas Beasley - Oct 26, 2006 8:45 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2006
New Mitchell Trail
Hiked the New Mitchell Trail, to the summit area which was closed due to construction and renovations. Bushwacked a little bit and snuck to the summit while evading the construction people and park rangers. All in all it was a nice hike.
woodstrider - Oct 10, 2006 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Jun 6, 1998
A short hike in the woods
My friend bob and I did a much shortened hike from the one that we originally planned to do as it was a rather wet day. What is an unmitagated peak bagger to do? Hike less, drink more hot chocolate.
BMS - Oct 2, 2006 7:50 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2006
Mt. Mitchell Summit Closed
The summit and lookout is closed for about a year due to reconstruction to remove the old concrete tower and to make the summit handicap accessible. You can still hike to the parking lot which is about 50'- 100' below the actual summit. I was told everything would reopen around July 4, 2007. The hike from Black Mountain Campground is open and is diverted to the parking lot just shy of the top. The sign at the start of the trail in Black Mountain Campground says "closed 5 miles ahead" which is a bit misleading because you are able to take the detour over to the parking lot.
musicmountain - Aug 21, 2006 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2006
Route Climbed: Mt. Mitchell Trail
We were the only ones on the trail. It poured all the way up to the summit but stopped as we began our decent.
The Blacks are one of my favorite places to hike. I have been lucky to live close and have summitted in all seasons and all weather. The coldest nights I've spent in the woods have been up in the Blacks, -10 degrees. The mountain is most easily climbed from the parking lot but can be climbed via the Buncombe Horse trail or the Mt Mitchell trail. All these climbs involve 3000 feet of gain. Longer ascents via Colbert Ridge, Woody Ridge, and Bowlens Creek/Black Mt Crest trail. The trails are maintained well inside the state park but only cleared every few years in the NF. The crest trail is steep and rocky, prepare for long stretches of ice in winter. (In my opinion the Black Mt crest trail and the Grandfather trail are the two toughest trails in the Southeast US).
Weather can be unpredictable and bad. One spring I took dayhikes around Easter weekend. On Thursday (April 12, 2001) I carried my son (then 4yo) up to Celo Knob. It was warm with temps in the 60's. Five days later (April 17, 2001) I was on the ridge between Potato Knob and Steppes Gap in blizzard conditions. That day the temp was 27, snowing, with a 30 mph wind.
In November of 2003 I was hiking in the Blacks with temp in the 50's and sun. That night a cold front came through the area with morning temps in the 20's and hurricane force wind gusts. If its cloudy with temps in the 40's in Charlotte, be prepared for wind, snow, and below freezing temps in the Blacks (and other high peaks in the SE). Review Alan deHarts NC hiking guide or the FS map for the Toe River valley.
Xtreme532 - Aug 14, 2006 8:38 pm Date Climbed: Dec 18, 2002
Icy Summit
Summited Mt. Mitchell with high winds, snow, and ice. Hiked from the bottom, no cars used.
A friend and I hiked from the Black Mtn. Campground to the Mt. Mithcell summit. Not a bad hike, but a bit harder than expected. He stayed on top while I ran back down the trail to pick up the car and drive around to get him. 6 hours of hiking total (4 up and 2 down).
jaygeekray - Jun 26, 2006 3:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2003
No View - No Hiking
We drove up and and walked the short path to the tower. The weather was against us - No View whatsoever....we had planned on hiking the Deep Gap Trail over to Mount Craig, but just left instead...after our encounter with lightning on Grandfather Mtn, we weren't feeling very brave...
pingzingr - Jun 6, 2006 8:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 1992
First one
Probably state highpoint #1...
Holsti97 - Apr 23, 2006 10:19 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2006
Mount Mitchell
Drove to Asheville, NC from Sassafras Mtn, SC. Attempted to access Hwy. 128 from the East from Hwy. 80 to Blue Ridge Parkway. Road closed due to damage from Hurricane Frances. Drove 80 miles back around to Asheville and drove up Blue Ridge Parkway to Hwy. 128. Parked at campground below Mt. Mitchell. Hiked 2 miles round trip on the Old Mount Mitchell Trail. Few people. Clear day with nice views at the summit. HP #9.
mattdalman - Apr 22, 2006 1:25 am Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2006
Route Climbed: Summit Road
This was our sixth state highpoint! It was a very windy day. We were happy to visit the highest point east of the Mississippi River.
GAHikerGirl - Apr 20, 2006 9:54 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2005
One of My Favorites
I love the Blacks. What can I say?? I bagged all 11 Blacks in a three-day trip, as part of conquering the Southern Sixers.
jvarholak - Feb 14, 2007 9:24 pm
ATduring 1976 AT thru hike
AirborneBuff - Dec 30, 2006 1:04 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 1997
easy walk from the parking lotcant really call this a climb, but the view was great
Shawna - Dec 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Mount Mitchell - July 2004Hiked Mt Mitchell with a friend when I first moved to NC. If I remember correctly, we took the Mt Mitchell Trail. It started out as a cloudy day and quickly turned into a very rainy day and poured on us most of the way...still a fun hike though.
jbslist - Dec 13, 2006 5:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2005
Number 1Drove up with mom, on a picture postcard perfect day. 1 down 49 to go!!
sugie1986 - Nov 6, 2006 2:48 pm
To The TopThe view from here is specatacular. Last time I was up there it was snowing. One amazing mountain!!
Thomas Beasley - Oct 26, 2006 8:45 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2006
New Mitchell TrailHiked the New Mitchell Trail, to the summit area which was closed due to construction and renovations. Bushwacked a little bit and snuck to the summit while evading the construction people and park rangers. All in all it was a nice hike.
surgent - Oct 19, 2006 7:58 pm
Easy drive upThis was an easy HP. Enjoyed the site.
woodstrider - Oct 10, 2006 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Jun 6, 1998
A short hike in the woodsMy friend bob and I did a much shortened hike from the one that we originally planned to do as it was a rather wet day. What is an unmitagated peak bagger to do? Hike less, drink more hot chocolate.
BMS - Oct 2, 2006 7:50 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2006
Mt. Mitchell Summit ClosedThe summit and lookout is closed for about a year due to reconstruction to remove the old concrete tower and to make the summit handicap accessible. You can still hike to the parking lot which is about 50'- 100' below the actual summit. I was told everything would reopen around July 4, 2007. The hike from Black Mountain Campground is open and is diverted to the parking lot just shy of the top. The sign at the start of the trail in Black Mountain Campground says "closed 5 miles ahead" which is a bit misleading because you are able to take the detour over to the parking lot.
musicmountain - Aug 21, 2006 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2006
Route Climbed: Mt. Mitchell TrailWe were the only ones on the trail. It poured all the way up to the summit but stopped as we began our decent.
osatrik - Aug 16, 2006 5:48 am
Family Highpoints TripIn 1986 our family did a highpoints driving trip and hit Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Kentucky's high points.
e-doc - Aug 15, 2006 9:55 pm
summits and weatherThe Blacks are one of my favorite places to hike. I have been lucky to live close and have summitted in all seasons and all weather. The coldest nights I've spent in the woods have been up in the Blacks, -10 degrees. The mountain is most easily climbed from the parking lot but can be climbed via the Buncombe Horse trail or the Mt Mitchell trail. All these climbs involve 3000 feet of gain. Longer ascents via Colbert Ridge, Woody Ridge, and Bowlens Creek/Black Mt Crest trail. The trails are maintained well inside the state park but only cleared every few years in the NF. The crest trail is steep and rocky, prepare for long stretches of ice in winter. (In my opinion the Black Mt crest trail and the Grandfather trail are the two toughest trails in the Southeast US).
Weather can be unpredictable and bad. One spring I took dayhikes around Easter weekend. On Thursday (April 12, 2001) I carried my son (then 4yo) up to Celo Knob. It was warm with temps in the 60's. Five days later (April 17, 2001) I was on the ridge between Potato Knob and Steppes Gap in blizzard conditions. That day the temp was 27, snowing, with a 30 mph wind.
In November of 2003 I was hiking in the Blacks with temp in the 50's and sun. That night a cold front came through the area with morning temps in the 20's and hurricane force wind gusts. If its cloudy with temps in the 40's in Charlotte, be prepared for wind, snow, and below freezing temps in the Blacks (and other high peaks in the SE). Review Alan deHarts NC hiking guide or the FS map for the Toe River valley.
Xtreme532 - Aug 14, 2006 8:38 pm Date Climbed: Dec 18, 2002
Icy SummitSummited Mt. Mitchell with high winds, snow, and ice. Hiked from the bottom, no cars used.
royswkr - Jul 31, 2006 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Apr 7, 1991
From State Park.
rlawson - Jul 24, 2006 12:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2006
Mt. Mitchell TrailA friend and I hiked from the Black Mtn. Campground to the Mt. Mithcell summit. Not a bad hike, but a bit harder than expected. He stayed on top while I ran back down the trail to pick up the car and drive around to get him. 6 hours of hiking total (4 up and 2 down).
jaygeekray - Jun 26, 2006 3:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2003
No View - No HikingWe drove up and and walked the short path to the tower. The weather was against us - No View whatsoever....we had planned on hiking the Deep Gap Trail over to Mount Craig, but just left instead...after our encounter with lightning on Grandfather Mtn, we weren't feeling very brave...
pingzingr - Jun 6, 2006 8:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 1992
First oneProbably state highpoint #1...
Holsti97 - Apr 23, 2006 10:19 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2006
Mount MitchellDrove to Asheville, NC from Sassafras Mtn, SC. Attempted to access Hwy. 128 from the East from Hwy. 80 to Blue Ridge Parkway. Road closed due to damage from Hurricane Frances. Drove 80 miles back around to Asheville and drove up Blue Ridge Parkway to Hwy. 128. Parked at campground below Mt. Mitchell. Hiked 2 miles round trip on the Old Mount Mitchell Trail. Few people. Clear day with nice views at the summit. HP #9.
mattdalman - Apr 22, 2006 1:25 am Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2006
Route Climbed: Summit RoadThis was our sixth state highpoint! It was a very windy day. We were happy to visit the highest point east of the Mississippi River.
GAHikerGirl - Apr 20, 2006 9:54 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2005
One of My FavoritesI love the Blacks. What can I say?? I bagged all 11 Blacks in a three-day trip, as part of conquering the Southern Sixers.