The trail begins at the Black Mountain Campground (operated by the U.S. Forest Service) and ends at the summit. This 6-mile trail requires about
4.5 hours of strenuous hiking to reach the top and 3.5 hours to return
.
How do you get to the top of Mt. Mitchell?
Located 35 miles northeast of downtown Asheville, reach Mount Mitchell via a very scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From the Parkway,
drive NC Highway 128 all the way to the summit
. From the parking area, walk up a 1/4-mile paved, accessible trail to the observation deck for 360-degree panoramic views.
Do you need a permit to hike Mount Mitchell?
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.
How much does it cost to go to Mount Mitchell?
COST:
It is free to visit Mount Mitchell State Park
— there is no admission fee. HOURS: The Park is open 7-days a week, year round (closed on Christmas Day). The hours are seasonal.
How difficult is Mt. Mitchell hike?
This 6-mile trail
requires about 4.5 hours of strenuous hiking to reach the top and 3.5 hours to return
. Numerous dead trees (killed mainly by sub-zero temperatures and high winter winds) are seen as hikers near the top of Mount Mitchell.
Is Mt. Mitchell a good hike?
Although a rugged trail with very steep and rough sections, as well as lots of exposure,
hikers are rewarded with spectacular views
. Mount Mitchell Trail (5.6 Miles) Starting from the Black Mountain Campground, this strenuous trail climbs 3600 feet in 5.5 miles to reach the summit of Mt.
Why is Mount Mitchell so special?
Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the eastern United States. Located in the Black Mountain range of the Southern Appalachians,
it is part of an intricate mountain system featuring some of the oldest and most complex geological formations on earth
.
How long does it take to hike Mt Pisgah?
Check out this 4.5-mile out-and-back trail near Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of
2 h 13 min
to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Can you hike Mt. Mitchell in the winter?
In the winter,
it can be a fun hike in the snow since the park rangers keep the roads clear as much as possible during the winter
. If you visit during the winter, you will need to access Mt. Mitchell via the Blue Ridge Parkway from the north.
Are there bears on Mt. Mitchell?
It's not uncommon to encounter black bears at Mount Mitchell State Park
, particularly in warm weather months.
Can dogs hike Mt. Mitchell?
The best times to visit this trail are April through October.
Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash
.
How high is Mt. Mitchell in NC?
6,684′
Why is Mount Mitchell shrinking?
All mountains are constantly experiencing some form of erosion, which tries to shrink them
. Tectonically active ones can overcome this with new, uplifting growth. But since their development is now arrested, the Appalachians can't offset the wear of wind or precipitation. And so they're getting smaller.
Is Mt Mitchell higher than Mt Washington?
Mitchell is the BIG DOG of all mountains east of the Mississippi. It is
just under 400 feet taller than Mt. Washington
, but has slightly less vertical and is slightly less prominent (by 59 feet).
What town has the highest elevation in NC?
Beech Mountain , North Carolina | Website City Website |
---|
Does the Appalachian Trail go through Mount Mitchell?
Hiking along this part of the Appalachian Trail leads to the top of a 4,600-foot mountain where you can see Mount Mitchell to the east and the Great Smoky Mountains to the south.
Is Mount Mitchell open in winter?
Is Mt. Mitchell in the Smokies?
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi.
Only Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet)
and Mt.
What is the highest point in South Carolina?
The long-awaited observation tower on Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's highest point at
3,553 feet above sea level
, officially opened to the public on April 22, 2019, Earth Day.
What is the original name of Mount Mitchell?
Known by the Cherokee as Attakulla and formerly called
Black Dome
, it was renamed for a University of North Carolina professor, Elisha Mitchell, who in 1835 surveyed it as the highest point in the eastern United States.
What is the highest point in the eastern United States?
Mount Mitchell
, the highest peak in the Eastern U.S. Towering above the surrounding forest at an impressive 6,684 feet above sea level, Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River. The mountain was first measured by Elisha Mitchell, a science professor at the University of North Carolina, in 1835.
Why is Mount Mitchell called Mount Mitchell?
Mt. Mitchell is named
in honor of Elisha Mitchell
, a professor who taught at the University of North Carolina. In the mid-1830s, Mitchell explored the Black Mountains and studied its height of through barometer readings.
Is Mount Mitchell kid friendly?
Explore the most popular kid friendly trails in Mount Mitchell State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
What state has the 10 highest mountains?
Five of these summits are located on the international border between
Alaska
and the Yukon, and three are located on the international border between Alaska and British Columbia. The ten highest major summits of the United States are all located in Alaska.
How hard is Mt Pisgah?
Check out this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Eugene, Oregon. Generally considered a
moderately challenging route
, it takes an average of 1 h 49 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and trail running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Can you drive to top of Mt Pisgah?
To hike to the top of Mount Pisgah,
start with a leisurely drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 35 minutes south of Asheville, to about mile post 407
.
How high is Mount Pisgah?
5,721′