My 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.
chilkoot - Aug 10, 2012 1:11 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2012
Our turn around point
This was the farthest extent of our hike from the Mt. Mitchell Parking area. Had some serious rain just as we got here which killed my camera permanently.
riblet - Aug 25, 2011 10:08 am Date Climbed: Nov 13, 2010
Black Mountain Crest Trail
Black Mountain Crest Trail from Mount Mitchell to Deep Gap.
mlandau3 - Jan 7, 2011 8:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2004
Via BMCT
Another peak on this high ridge
Mike N - Apr 18, 2010 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2010
Via Colbert's Ridge
Went to Cattail and back. Almost 4600 feet elevation change, 11 miles. A lot of trees have fallen on the trail, in some parts near Deep Gap it is quite annoying.
sprosseda - Oct 6, 2009 7:18 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 1997
Along crest trail
Passed by along crest trail. Some great rock outcrops and views. Amazing sub-alpine area for the South.
Theonestar - Oct 8, 2007 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2007
deep gap
Mount Mitchell to Deep Gap-and back.
StarMan - Aug 9, 2007 8:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2006
Good!
and tough
NavySeabee - Mar 12, 2007 2:22 pm Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2007
Route Climbed: Black Mountain Crest Trail to Mt. Mitchell, Mt. Craig, Big Tom, Balsams Cone, Cattail Peak and Potato Hill
Peak 6 of 6 (last but certainly not least) of my Southern Sixer Six Pack. Check out my trip report on the Mount Mitchell page.
gwave47 - Nov 11, 2006 4:11 am Date Climbed: May 31, 2005
Summitted with Mount Mitchell, Big Tom, Balsams Cone, Cattail Peak, and Mt. Craig, then down the Colbert Ridge Trail
Lot of Bushwhacking
GAHikerGirl - Apr 20, 2006 10:10 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2005
Route Climbed: Crest Trail Date Climbed: January 8th, 2005
I summited this mountain as part of my hike of the crest trail in early January. There was about 6in. of snow with a lot of ice on the trail. Very cold. Wind chill was bellow zero. Great hike though.
Route Climbed: Deep Gap/ Black Mt. Crest Trail Date Climbed: June 4, 2005
My wife Jennifer and I hiked Potato Hill/Cattail Peak early in the summer on our traverse of the Black Mountain Crest Trail which begins at the Mt. Mitchell picnic area. This continuously rolling, steep and slippery trail (especially past Deep Gap) hits 7 named Southern Sixers (Mt. Mitchell, Mt. Craig, Balsam Cone, Cattail Peak/Potato Knob, Winter Star Mountain, Gibbs Mt. & Celo Knob).
The views on this were some of the best on the east coast. Late spring & early summer are good times to attempt a traverse of the North Carolina Blacks. The wildflowers at this time are showing their colors, the ferns are unrolling & the Balsam forests are alive with all kinds of wildlife. Also, the brutal heat and humidity that characterize summer in the South usually does not set in, in earnest until mid-June.
Route Climbed: Deep Gap Trai/Bushwhack. Date Climbed: 11-10-2004
Getting to the summit of Potato Hill is a bit of a chore. Unless someone else knows of another route, you have to just bull your way through some really thick undergrowth to get to the true summit. There's not much to see up at the very top--more brush, basically. Leave you pack on the Deep Gap Trail. Even my daypack was too much to try to carry through the bushes and limbs.
eric-griz - May 13, 2014 10:57 am Date Climbed: May 12, 2014
Just a "hill"Hiked over on my way north to Celo Knob.
johnm - May 5, 2014 8:40 pm Date Climbed: May 4, 2014
6th of 8 for the dayLast one before the big push down deep gap and continuing to White Star & Gibbs. Views were quite good on this windy day.
hightinerary - Mar 8, 2014 12:19 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.
chilkoot - Aug 10, 2012 1:11 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2012
Our turn around pointThis was the farthest extent of our hike from the Mt. Mitchell Parking area. Had some serious rain just as we got here which killed my camera permanently.
riblet - Aug 25, 2011 10:08 am Date Climbed: Nov 13, 2010
Black Mountain Crest TrailBlack Mountain Crest Trail from Mount Mitchell to Deep Gap.
mlandau3 - Jan 7, 2011 8:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2004
Via BMCTAnother peak on this high ridge
Mike N - Apr 18, 2010 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2010
Via Colbert's RidgeWent to Cattail and back. Almost 4600 feet elevation change, 11 miles. A lot of trees have fallen on the trail, in some parts near Deep Gap it is quite annoying.
sprosseda - Oct 6, 2009 7:18 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 1997
Along crest trailPassed by along crest trail. Some great rock outcrops and views. Amazing sub-alpine area for the South.
Theonestar - Oct 8, 2007 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2007
deep gapMount Mitchell to Deep Gap-and back.
StarMan - Aug 9, 2007 8:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2006
Good!and tough
NavySeabee - Mar 12, 2007 2:22 pm Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2007
Route Climbed: Black Mountain Crest Trail to Mt. Mitchell, Mt. Craig, Big Tom, Balsams Cone, Cattail Peak and Potato HillPeak 6 of 6 (last but certainly not least) of my Southern Sixer Six Pack. Check out my trip report on the Mount Mitchell page.
gwave47 - Nov 11, 2006 4:11 am Date Climbed: May 31, 2005
Summitted with Mount Mitchell, Big Tom, Balsams Cone, Cattail Peak, and Mt. Craig, then down the Colbert Ridge TrailLot of Bushwhacking
GAHikerGirl - Apr 20, 2006 10:10 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2005
Truly Spectacular Views...Heading up north to Deep Gap.
thljr922 - Feb 1, 2006 7:51 pm
Route Climbed: Crest Trail Date Climbed: January 8th, 2005I summited this mountain as part of my hike of the crest trail in early January. There was about 6in. of snow with a lot of ice on the trail. Very cold. Wind chill was bellow zero. Great hike though.
TomSellick - Aug 31, 2005 6:46 pm
Route Climbed: BMCT Date Climbed: September 2003Very cool mountain. Really sucks to climb from Deep Gap, but it's worth it. Not much going on up top though.
Cortez - Aug 25, 2005 10:33 am
Route Climbed: Deep Gap/ Black Mt. Crest Trail Date Climbed: June 4, 2005My wife Jennifer and I hiked Potato Hill/Cattail Peak early in the summer on our traverse of the Black Mountain Crest Trail which begins at the Mt. Mitchell picnic area. This continuously rolling, steep and slippery trail (especially past Deep Gap) hits 7 named Southern Sixers (Mt. Mitchell, Mt. Craig, Balsam Cone, Cattail Peak/Potato Knob, Winter Star Mountain, Gibbs Mt. & Celo Knob).
The views on this were some of the best on the east coast. Late spring & early summer are good times to attempt a traverse of the North Carolina Blacks. The wildflowers at this time are showing their colors, the ferns are unrolling & the Balsam forests are alive with all kinds of wildlife. Also, the brutal heat and humidity that characterize summer in the South usually does not set in, in earnest until mid-June.
BobSmith - Nov 11, 2004 1:37 pm
Route Climbed: Deep Gap Trai/Bushwhack. Date Climbed: 11-10-2004Getting to the summit of Potato Hill is a bit of a chore. Unless someone else knows of another route, you have to just bull your way through some really thick undergrowth to get to the true summit. There's not much to see up at the very top--more brush, basically. Leave you pack on the Deep Gap Trail. Even my daypack was too much to try to carry through the bushes and limbs.