Mount Mitchell, located about 35 miles northeast of Ashville, in North Carolina's Black Mountains is the highest peak in the US east of the Mississippi River. It is linked to Clingmans Dome, the second highest peak in the US east of the Mississippi at 6643', via the Blue Ridge Parkway National Scenic Drive. Mount Mitchell is part of the Black Mountain Crest which includes 6 other peaks above 6300' nearby. The summit is inside the Mount Mitchell State Park while many approach trails (including the Mount Mitchell Trail) start in the Pisgah National Forest. During the summer months, you can expect a variety of wildflowers to be in bloom. Trout fishing is also popular in the creeks that run off the Black Mountain Crest.

The easiest way to the summit tower, yes there is a tower here, is to drive up to about 100' below the summit and then walk up a paved path. Somewhat of a let down but still very popular.

A more agreeable way to reach the 6684' summit for hikers is to take the 5.6 mile class 1 Mount Mitchell Trail (USFS #190) that starts at the Black Mountain Campground (2680'). You can also create a 15.5 mile loop hike by hiking to the summit from the campground, heading north along the Black Mountain Crest Trail (USFS #179 passing Mount Craig - 6647', Big Tom - 6580', Balsam Cone 6596', and Cattail Peak 6584') and down the Colbert Ridge Trail (USFS #178) and then hiking back along some gravel roads back to the campground. During the winter it is not uncommon to have 2+ feet of snow on the mountain. See the map mentioned in the Getting There section.

Getting There

SUMMIT ROAD FROM SOUTH: Take I-40 to exit 86 connecting with NC SR-226 to Marion / Shelby. From here turn left on to the Blue Ridge Parkway. At mile marker #355 turn north on NC SR-128 and drive into the park where you will enter the park, pass the Mount Mitchell State Park Office, and reach the summit parking lot a bit farther.

SUMMIT ROAD FROM NORTH: Take US-19E to Micaville and turn south on NC SR-80 heading south. Turn right and head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway reaching NC SR-128 at mile marking #355. From here drive north into the Mount Mitchell State Park as described above.

BLACK MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND FROM SOUTH: Follow directions for the Summit Road (from South), however, do not leave the Blue Ridge Parkway at NC SR-128. Instead continue east to US FR-472 and drive north to the Black Mountain Campground.

BLACK MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND FROM NORTH: Follow directiosn for the Summit Road (from North) and head south on NC SR-80 turning off at US FR-472. Head south on US FR-472 until you reach the campground.

BLACK MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND DURING WINTER (Ref: IamC0lin): The Blue Ridge Parkway is often closed due to ice in the winter months. If this is the case, getting to the Black Mountain Campground becomes difficult. You must travel East on 70 until you reach Marion. At which point you will travel North on 80 until you come to the small town of Busick. Shortly after passing a convenient store on your left, you will need to turn left onto Forest Service Road 472. The road may be closed but there are areas to park and often times the road is only labeled "closed" as they cannot block it off due to the fact that people live on it. You should have no trouble driving all the way to the campground.

ROAD AND TRAIL MAP:

Mount Mitchell State Park Map (PDF): shows the park, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC SR-128, US FR-472, Mount Mitchell Trail, Black Mountain Crest Trail, etc. This is useful for all driving directions described above. Being a PDF, this looks great when you print it out and can be enlarged quite well :-)

Red Tape

In general there's not much red tape here unless you want to camp where you'll need a permit inside the Mount Mitchell State Park and need to pay a fee at the Black Mountain Campground.

See the Mount Mitchell State Park Rules and Regulations page for specifics including the prohibition of alcohol in the park ;-) If you are camping you will need a permit inside the park. The Black Mountain Campground and most of the Mount Mitchell Trail is in the Pisgah National Forest.

When To Climb

It's possible to climb this peak year round, however, be prepared for changing weather conditions as snow storms have been known to occur during all months of the year. Temperatures on this peak have been measured as low as -34°F and never above 81°F. Average annual snowfall is 104 inches and winds often reach 100+ mph on the West Face. The fair weather climbing season generally lasts from May to October while those hiking during the winter shouldn't be surprised to find themselves in 2+ feet of snow.

During the winter months the Blue Ridge Parkway may be closed due to weather. If this is the case, follow the directions for "Black Mountain Campground From North" in the Getting There section above.

Camping

The Black Mountain Campground is a first-come first-serve campground that is open between April 14 and November 1. The rate is $12 / day. See GORP's Pisgah NF Campgrounds Page for more information. The USFS NC Site would also be a good place to check for campground and backcountry camping information for Pisgah National Forest, however, some of their PDFs seem to be missing. Contact the USFS Ashville, NC office listed in the Mountain Conditions for more information.

Black bears are prevalent in this area so bear proof your campsite. Bear bagging still appears to be effective here.

Mountain Conditions

Contact the Mount Mitchell State Park or USFS for current weather conditions:

MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK
Route 5 Box 700
Burnsville, NC 28714
Tel: (828) 675-4611
Email: momi@yancey.main.nc.us

USFS
P.O. Box 2750
160A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28802
Tel: (828) 257-4200

Etymology

From JScoles: "Got this from one of the links in the above text. Most likely came out of a guide book or off plack somewhere the author did not say."

The naming of Mt. Mitchell was not without controversy. Thomas Clingman and Elisha Mitchell engaged in a lengthy dispute about which of the two men had been the first to accurately measure the mountain. In 1857, Dr. Mitchell set out to verify the measurements he had made over a decade previously. However, before even reaching the mountain, the University of North Carolina scientist fell to his death at a spot now known as Mitchell's Falls. As a result of the tragedy, Clingman and his supporters agreed that Mitchell deserved to have the peak named in his honor. Later, Clingman was to have Clingmans Dome in the nearby Smokies named in his honor.

External Links

South Beyond 6000 Peak List
Mount Mitchell is the tallest of the 6000' peaks in the "South Beyond 6000" peak bagging list.
Mt Mitchell photos
Part of photo journal featuring Mt Rogers, Roan Mtn & other NC, VA & TN destinations.
Mount Mitchell Summit Webcam
Image is updated every 10 minutes.
Mount Mitchell - Current Weather Conditions @ Summit
Updated weather conditions at the summit of Mount Mitchell.
Serendipity Cabin
Cabin for rent at base of Mt. Mitchell, offers year round access to the trail.

Additions and Corrections

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e-doc

Untitled Comment

Hasn't voted

The BRP access from NC 80 is closed due to construction on the Twin tunnels. South Toe Rd is still closed from hurricane damage in 2004. The only vehicular access is via the BRP from Asheville, which is often closed in winter due to ice.

Posted Dec 31, 2005 11:56 pm

e-doc

Untitled Comment

Hasn't voted

History:

The mountain was heavily logged (stripped) in the early 1900's by the logging companies Brown Bothers, Carolina Spruce, Dickey and Campbell, and Perley and Crockett (the largest). The slopes of the Blacks were denuded of most trees as they were transported by RR to the towns Pensacola (west of the Blacks) and Black Mt (south of the Blacks). A narrow gauge RR line had been built up the mountain from both places.

In 1909 John Silcox Holmes (for whom Holmes State Forest is named), the newly appointed state forester for the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, toured and prepared a report on the conditions of the mountain forests. The logging continued unabated. Locke Craig was elected governor of NC in 1913. In the US, momentum was gathering for the preservation of Americas wild lands. Through the work of Holmes and Craig, the state of NC passed a bill March 3, 1995 to establish a park on Mt Mitchell. This was likely the first state (or federal) park in the SE US.

Many of the original names of the Blacks have changed also. Clingmans Peak became Black Dome then Mitchells High Peak and finally Mt Mitchell; Mt Mitchell--Clingmans Peak, Haul Back--Hallback, Guyots Peak--Mt Craig, Hairy Bear-- Big Tom, and Black Brother--Balsam Cone.

Even during the logging years, Pearley and Crockett offered visitor access by the RR from Black Mt. After establishment of the park, and logging ended, the train continued to transport visitors to the mountain slopes. The tracks were removed in 1922 and replaced by a toll road, then finally replaced by the Blue Ridge Parkway from Buck Creek Gap to Black Mt Gap in 1939.

These facts, and much more, can be found in A History of Mt Mitchell and the Black Mountains by Kent Schwarzkoph and Mt Mitchell and the Black Mountains by Timothy Silver.

Posted Feb 3, 2006 12:25 am

big_g

summit closure

Voted 10/10

Be advised that the summit is closed while construction of the new observation tower is going on.

Posted Apr 12, 2007 6:50 pm


	Redwic	Re: summit closure
	Voted 10/10	I just called the Mount Mitchell State Park and found out the latest construction updates: The Blue Ridge Parkway construction/ detour will last a little beyond Summer (2008). The Mount Mitchell summit, itself, is closed until at least mid-to-late July (2008), due to construction at the summit observation deck.
		Posted Feb 12, 2008 2:22 pm

Eleutheros

Factual Error

Voted 10/10

Just noted that you mention Clingman's Dome is the "second" highest mountain east of the Mississippi. That title in fact belongs to nearby Mount Craig (6,645'). Clingman's Dome should be 3rd on that list.

See This Link

Posted Feb 18, 2008 6:39 pm

eric-griz

Re: summit closure