Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
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35.65762°N / 82.31345°W |
County:
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Buncombe |
Activities:
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Hiking |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
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Elevation:
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4180 ft / 1274 m |
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Overview
Looking for Views.Well, I was wrong. The trails are open to all who are willing to be courteous and who obey the rules. They're foot trails only, which means no bikes, no horses, and absolutely no motorized vehicles.
Views toward NC's Highest Peaks.The thousands of acres that are locked up in conservation easements around the community are really good hiking territory. These lands encompass some great streams, forests, and peaks. Some of the mountains here soar well over a mile above sea level and lead up toward Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern USA.
A drive through Montreat will likely have you admiring the college, parks, homes and facilities. It would be a very nice place to live if you have the money to afford it. (I don't.) The trail heads are generally located at ample parking lots at the ends of paved roads.
The hike we took was relatively short and brisk. It gained a fair amount
Brushy KnobAfter we climbed down from the summit we began to encounter quite a lot of deadfall. Apparently the recent ice, snow, and wind storms have been too much for the trees. There were lots of downed oaks. Every few meters we found ourselves detouring around large trees and branches that had collapsed from the recent severe weather. It made the going slow and the progress frustrating. I feel sure that these trails are maintained purely by volunteer efforts, so there is going to have to be quite many hours put in to get them straight when Spring rolls around. As it is, hiking them is really tough, and I wouldn't recommend it to any casual hikers.
We did find that the area is nice enough and the welcome open enough so that we'll both go back to try other hikes. Next on my list at Montreat is to hike to the summit of Graybeard Mountain. It rises to over 5,400 feet, so it's definitely on my peak-bagging list.
Warm and SnowyGetting There
From I-40, take exit 64 and drive north on NC Highway 9 into the community of Montreat. Once in Montreat, take Suwannee Drive to the end of the road. At the dead end there is a parking lot and the trail terminus for Big Piney Ridge Trail.
Montreat Trail System.Red Tape
None. The trails are open to all, but foot traffic only. No horses, no bikes, and no motorized vehicles! There's no camping in Montreat itself, but you can hike into the Pisgah National Forest and camp where you please.
Mount Mitchell Toll Road.Camping
No camping on Montreat property. Plenty of back country camping across the property line in Pisgah National Forest.
Lots of deadfall.
chugach mtn boy - Apr 14, 2015 12:02 pm - Voted 10/10
To reach the trailheadDrive straight ahead through Montreat on Graybeard Trace, continuing almost to its end. Turn sharply back to the left on Suwanee Drive. Map here: http://images.summitpost.org/original/755522.jpg