Route Climbed: Black Mountain Crest Trail Date Climbed: June 4, 2005
My wife Jennifer and I hiked Balsam Cone 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: 19 mile loop, from the Black Mountain Campground up the Mt. Mitchell trail to the summit of Mt. Mitchell, then Deep Gap Trail to Summits of Mt. Craig, Big Tom, Balsams Cone, and Cattails Peak, down Colbert Ridge Trail, hike back through to
The 4th Summit on our trip, Balsams Cone did not have many great views. This is a good hike for peakbaggers, but I wouldn't reccomend it for sightseers. Check out my trip report on the Mt. Mitchell page.
Route Climbed: Deep Gap Trail. Date Climbed: 11-10-2004
I summited Balsam Cone via the Deep Gap Trail on a cool, November day. Conditions were pretty much perfect, with relatively mild temperatures and excellent visibility.
Bark Eater - Sep 27, 2007 12:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 1996
Nice ridge hike from MitchellEnjoyed the day up on the ridge.
Theonestar - Aug 10, 2007 10:59 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
deep gapStarman said I made it...
StarMan - Aug 12, 2007 7:52 pm
Re: deep gapAnd I'll dare anyone to say you didn't!
StarMan - Aug 9, 2007 8:12 pm
ToughFirst climbed in Sept, 2004.
pingzingr - Jul 14, 2007 10:37 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
Deep Gap TrailAs part of a day trip out to Deep Gap and back from Mt Mitchell parking lot.
Jerry L - Jul 12, 2007 7:20 am Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2007
Deep Gap TrailDone.
NavySeabee - Mar 12, 2007 2:17 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 4 of 6 in my Southern Sixer Six Pack. Check out my trip report on the Mount Mitchell Page.
GAHikerGirl - Apr 20, 2006 10:00 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2005
Another Nice Easy Summit...These are nice and easy along the Summit Trail...until you start heading north beyond Deep Gap...more bushwacking!
TomSellick - Aug 31, 2005 6:40 pm
Route Climbed: BMCT Date Climbed: September 2003Love that trail...good views to the east
Cortez - Aug 25, 2005 10:21 am
Route Climbed: Black Mountain Crest Trail Date Climbed: June 4, 2005My wife Jennifer and I hiked Balsam Cone 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.
Tbacon251 - Aug 21, 2005 10:20 pm
Route Climbed: Deep Gap Date Climbed: 08-20-05It was raining and I had no view. Good climb though.
gwave47 - May 31, 2005 5:00 pm
Route Climbed: 19 mile loop, from the Black Mountain Campground up the Mt. Mitchell trail to the summit of Mt. Mitchell, then Deep Gap Trail to Summits of Mt. Craig, Big Tom, Balsams Cone, and Cattails Peak, down Colbert Ridge Trail, hike back through toThe 4th Summit on our trip, Balsams Cone did not have many great views. This is a good hike for peakbaggers, but I wouldn't reccomend it for sightseers. Check out my trip report on the Mt. Mitchell page.
Steve Gruhn - Jan 26, 2005 11:06 pm
Route Climbed: From Mitchell Date Climbed: March 1988Nice walk.
BobSmith - Nov 12, 2004 12:13 am
Route Climbed: Deep Gap Trail. Date Climbed: 11-10-2004I summited Balsam Cone via the Deep Gap Trail on a cool, November day. Conditions were pretty much perfect, with relatively mild temperatures and excellent visibility.