gishokie95 - Jan 25, 2023 3:20 pm Date Climbed: Jan 7, 2023
Straight up via Woody Ridge
Ascended via Woody Ridge Trail and continued S on the Black Mtn Crest Trail to loop around and descend via Colbert Ridge Trail. Summit bushwhack from the Black Mtn Crest Trail was fairly easy to follow, and a small sign ("Gibbs Mtn 6224 ft") marked the summit amidst a pile of rocks.
CMStinson - Mar 21, 2020 5:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 13, 2018
Up the Woody Ridge Trail
First of two SB6K summits visited today with my son Jeremy. The Woody Ridge Trail was steep, as advertised, but also quite beautiful in many spots, and we had great weather. You definitely have to bushwhack to find the true summit, which on our visit was marked by a wooden sign.
technicolorNH - Nov 20, 2018 8:26 pm Date Climbed: Nov 19, 2018
2nd of three mountains for the day
My NG map said the trail went directly over the summit but people here have said bushwhacking was necessary which seems more likely. I walked all over it twice anyway. The west side has wide open views from the crest trail.
Kiefer - Nov 1, 2015 5:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 21, 2015
BM Trail
Bit of a bushwhack. Super overgrown forest. Pretty but at times, frustrating. Short on time, wish I could have gotten Celo.
Hiked up Woody Ridge, which turned out to be not as difficult as I had imagined it. It wasn't an easy trail, but from all I had read about it I guess I thought it would be more difficult. Turned left onto the BMCT and then bushwacked through thick vegetation to the summit.
johnm - May 5, 2014 9:05 pm Date Climbed: May 4, 2014
Final peak of the day
My goal was Mt Mitchell to Celo Knob and return in one day. This is as far as I made it - the perpetual wind never warmed and continuing on would have meant a much colder windy night return. My attire was thin summer garments. In the end this was good as the return took its toll on me.
sprosseda - Nov 30, 2010 6:55 am Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2010
Gibbs and Celo, Woody Ridge
Took Woody Ridge trail up to crest, then manways to top of Celo and Gibbs. Very rugged and steep trail, good views on rock outcrops and crest. Very enjoyable, 5 hours round trip.
TomSellick - Oct 26, 2009 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 25, 2009
via Bowlens Creek
Cool bushwhack - luckily we had clear skies or we might not have ever found it. The day before, in total fog, I couldn't see 20 feet in front of my face. We had great views from most of the 'whack up - also, crazy crawling under bushes and stuff. Paired with Celo, one of the most fun outings in recent memory.
Some maintenance has been done to the lower section of the Woody Ridge Trail, so it's not quite as confusing ascending (the NFS could put up a few more signs, because it's still confusing descending. Also a lot more blowdown on the upper part than I remembered. The trail rut and sign where this trail meets the Black Mountain Crest Trail have both disappeared. Today there were no clouds and we could see Gibbs Mountain; we walked on the BMCT and when we found the west ridge of the mountain (about 15 minutes on the BMCT), we also found a pink ribbon trail. This bushwhack did have quite a bit of cane (the blackberries tasted pretty good, though).
Cortez - Jan 28, 2007 8:39 pm Date Climbed: Jan 27, 2007
Gibbs & Celo via Woody Ridge Trail Date Climbed January, 27 2007
Wow, what can you say about the first three miles of this hike other than PAINFUL! The Woody Ridge Trail is not for the faint of heart. This is definitely one of the toughest routes on the East Coast. Swith-backs were obviously not a concern for the designer of this trail. The high point for Gibbs is a short bushwhack off of the Black Mtn. Crest about 5 min. or so left of the confluence of the Woody Ridge & Black Mtn. Crest Trails. An unmaintained man-way (left) marked w/pink ribbons leads to the highpoint of this ridge.
GAHikerGirl - Apr 20, 2006 10:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2005
Route Climbed: Woody Ridge trail Date Climbed: Sept 21, 2004
Great peak. I have climbed twice, both on Woody Ridge trail. My first trip up was April 12, 2001; with my, then 4 yo, son. Beautiful day, shorts and t-shirt. My son kept getting whacked in the face as I carried him around in the child carrier backpack. I can still hear his voice, " I want my mommy, I want to go home." See my route description.
Route Climbed: The Black Mountain Crest Trail. Date Climbed: July 3, 2005
I finally climbed to the top of Gibbs Mountain on July 3, 2005. I found the hike to be far more tough than I had supposed from examining my topo map. The route was not as crest-oriented as I had hoped, dropping off time and again into deep gaps that forced me to reclimb the slopes to regain the ridges. One of the most exhausting hikes of my life.
The weather did not cooperate in the form of clear skies, and so I was left to slog through a very thick mist and endure a long pouring rain for much of the hike. I hit several high points along the route, bushwhacking time and again to make sure I got the right summit. I never saw a benchmark, but I took several GPS readings to check to see if I got the right peak.
gishokie95 - Jan 25, 2023 3:20 pm Date Climbed: Jan 7, 2023
Straight up via Woody RidgeAscended via Woody Ridge Trail and continued S on the Black Mtn Crest Trail to loop around and descend via Colbert Ridge Trail. Summit bushwhack from the Black Mtn Crest Trail was fairly easy to follow, and a small sign ("Gibbs Mtn 6224 ft") marked the summit amidst a pile of rocks.
CMStinson - Mar 21, 2020 5:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 13, 2018
Up the Woody Ridge TrailFirst of two SB6K summits visited today with my son Jeremy. The Woody Ridge Trail was steep, as advertised, but also quite beautiful in many spots, and we had great weather. You definitely have to bushwhack to find the true summit, which on our visit was marked by a wooden sign.
technicolorNH - Nov 20, 2018 8:26 pm Date Climbed: Nov 19, 2018
2nd of three mountains for the dayMy NG map said the trail went directly over the summit but people here have said bushwhacking was necessary which seems more likely. I walked all over it twice anyway. The west side has wide open views from the crest trail.
Kiefer - Nov 1, 2015 5:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 21, 2015
BM TrailBit of a bushwhack. Super overgrown forest. Pretty but at times, frustrating. Short on time, wish I could have gotten Celo.
eric-griz - Sep 27, 2014 6:40 pm Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2014
Rough bushwackHiked up Woody Ridge, which turned out to be not as difficult as I had imagined it. It wasn't an easy trail, but from all I had read about it I guess I thought it would be more difficult. Turned left onto the BMCT and then bushwacked through thick vegetation to the summit.
johnm - May 5, 2014 9:05 pm Date Climbed: May 4, 2014
Final peak of the dayMy goal was Mt Mitchell to Celo Knob and return in one day. This is as far as I made it - the perpetual wind never warmed and continuing on would have meant a much colder windy night return. My attire was thin summer garments. In the end this was good as the return took its toll on me.
sprosseda - Nov 30, 2010 6:55 am Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2010
Gibbs and Celo, Woody RidgeTook Woody Ridge trail up to crest, then manways to top of Celo and Gibbs. Very rugged and steep trail, good views on rock outcrops and crest. Very enjoyable, 5 hours round trip.
Koonsy - May 22, 2010 7:30 pm
Crest TrailBeautiful trail with amazing views.
TomSellick - Oct 26, 2009 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 25, 2009
via Bowlens CreekCool bushwhack - luckily we had clear skies or we might not have ever found it. The day before, in total fog, I couldn't see 20 feet in front of my face. We had great views from most of the 'whack up - also, crazy crawling under bushes and stuff. Paired with Celo, one of the most fun outings in recent memory.
mlandau3 - Sep 8, 2007 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2007
What A Leg Burner!Some maintenance has been done to the lower section of the Woody Ridge Trail, so it's not quite as confusing ascending (the NFS could put up a few more signs, because it's still confusing descending. Also a lot more blowdown on the upper part than I remembered. The trail rut and sign where this trail meets the Black Mountain Crest Trail have both disappeared. Today there were no clouds and we could see Gibbs Mountain; we walked on the BMCT and when we found the west ridge of the mountain (about 15 minutes on the BMCT), we also found a pink ribbon trail. This bushwhack did have quite a bit of cane (the blackberries tasted pretty good, though).
Cortez - Jan 28, 2007 8:39 pm Date Climbed: Jan 27, 2007
Gibbs & Celo via Woody Ridge Trail Date Climbed January, 27 2007Wow, what can you say about the first three miles of this hike other than PAINFUL! The Woody Ridge Trail is not for the faint of heart. This is definitely one of the toughest routes on the East Coast. Swith-backs were obviously not a concern for the designer of this trail. The high point for Gibbs is a short bushwhack off of the Black Mtn. Crest about 5 min. or so left of the confluence of the Woody Ridge & Black Mtn. Crest Trails. An unmaintained man-way (left) marked w/pink ribbons leads to the highpoint of this ridge.
GAHikerGirl - Apr 20, 2006 10:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2005
Not Really Easy to Find...but a really fun bushwhack!!
e-doc - Dec 31, 2005 12:29 am
Route Climbed: Woody Ridge trail Date Climbed: Sept 21, 2004Great peak. I have climbed twice, both on Woody Ridge trail. My first trip up was April 12, 2001; with my, then 4 yo, son. Beautiful day, shorts and t-shirt. My son kept getting whacked in the face as I carried him around in the child carrier backpack. I can still hear his voice, " I want my mommy, I want to go home." See my route description.
BobSmith - Jul 5, 2005 4:23 pm
Route Climbed: The Black Mountain Crest Trail. Date Climbed: July 3, 2005I finally climbed to the top of Gibbs Mountain on July 3, 2005. I found the hike to be far more tough than I had supposed from examining my topo map. The route was not as crest-oriented as I had hoped, dropping off time and again into deep gaps that forced me to reclimb the slopes to regain the ridges. One of the most exhausting hikes of my life.
The weather did not cooperate in the form of clear skies, and so I was left to slog through a very thick mist and endure a long pouring rain for much of the hike. I hit several high points along the route, bushwhacking time and again to make sure I got the right summit. I never saw a benchmark, but I took several GPS readings to check to see if I got the right peak.