Jackie Steffan — 11.5 miles — 8 hours — Strenuous — 3,539′ elevation gain —
There’s no better hike in the Southern Appalachian mountains than Mount Mitchell if you’re looking for a hike gaining significant elevation. As you may know, it’s the highest peak in east of the Mississippi. From the observation deck, take in the stunning 360° views and enjoy the informative peak finders. While you could drive to the top, it’s way more fun to earn the reward.
Getting There
From Johnson City on I-26E towards Asheville to the bottom trailhead:
- Take Exit 3 for US-23A towards Wolf Laurel
- Turn left onto US-23 ALT S
- Travel 0.7 mile, then turn left onto Laurel Valley Rd.
- Travel 3.4 miles, and take slight left where road turns into Windy Gap Rd.
- Go 1.6 miles, turn left onto US-19E
- Travel 14.5 miles, turn right onto Micaville Loop
- Go 0.5 mile, turn right onto NC-80 S
- Travel 11.6 miles, take slight right onto S Toe River Rd.
- Go 2.9 miles, turn right onto Black Mountain Campground Rd. Parking area should be shortly ahead on the right
From Johnson City on I-26E towards Asheville to the top trailhead / observation deck:
- Take Exit 18 towards Weaverville
- Continue straight onto Clarks Chapel Rd.
- In 0.3 mile, continue onto US-19 BUS S / N Main St.
- Travel 1.0 mile, continue straight on N Main St.
- Go 0.3 mile, turn left onto Hillside St.
- Travel 0.3 mile, turn left to stay on Hillside St.
- Then very shortly turn left onto Reems Creek Rd.
- Travel 3.2 miles, then turn right onto Ox Creek Rd.
- Go 4.1 miles, then turn left to stay on Ox Creek Rd.
- Travel 0.3 mile, turn left onto the Blue Ridge Pkwy
- Travel 20.3 miles, turn left onto NC-128
- Go 4.6 miles to reach the parking area
The Hike
From the lower parking area, cross the South Toe River, heading towards the Black Mountain Campground. Follow the road, taking a left onto Briar Bottom Rd. before entering the campground road loop. There are a few options to reach the Mount Mitchell Trail. One can continue on the road about 0.1 mile to reach the trailhead on the right, or you can follow the Briar Bottom Trail that is on the left side of the road following the river, which will essentially meet up with the road in 0.1 mile, crossing directly where the Mount Mitchell Trail begins.
Follow the blue diamond trail for 1.5 miles, slowly winding your way up the mountain. The first stretch is about 1200′ elevation gain, so there’s no easing into this hike. Enjoy the mature mixed hardwood forests while taking breaks from the climb.
After this stretch, you’ll reach a split. It doesn’t really matter which path you take since they meet up again. Our recommendation is to keep right. The right route is 0.9 mile and 625′ elevation gain and is part of of the Mount Mitchell Trail. The left route is Higgins Bald Trail, 1.2 miles with the same amount of gain, but the trail is definitely the road less travelled and not as well maintained. We thought we might get to see views of Higgins Bald from this loop and might be a little more gradual gain, but you won’t get views and it didn’t feel any easier. It definitely seemed like the right route was the preferred main thorough-fare. In this stretch you’ll begin to notice a change in scenery as dense spruce forests begin to form around you.
From the intersection again, continue upward for another 1.2 miles, this time with a slight break of only 880′ elevation gain. After this stretch, you intersect with the Buncombe Horse Range Trail, which you will follow for 0.1 mile. Then turn right to continue up the Mount Mitchell Trail. Near this area, there is a lovely view to encourage you to keep up the hard work.
The next section is another 1.2 miles of 775′ elevation gain. This section is fairly rocky.
At this point, you will reach an intersection with the Balsam Nature Trail. The Mount Mitchell Trail continues straight/left. Either way will get you to the top parking area/observation area. Our recommendation is to keep on the Mount Mitchell Trail since it’s more direct to reach the observation area.
The last 0.4 miles on the Mount Mitchell Trail are the easiest, saving the best for last! This section is only about 75′ of gain. In this section, admire the Frasier Fir forest around you at the top. Once you reach the observation deck, take a well deserved rest and enjoy a snack while taking in the views.
If you didn’t shuttle vehicles, then you’ll simply re-trace your steps back down the mountain, taking any of the loops you desire on the way.
OR you could be crazy like us, since this was the best training spot we could find locally for R2R of the Grand Canyon, and start at the top, hiking down and back up. This made the return climb substantially more challenging. We met several others who were training for the same thing during the hike. If you go in late August-September, you too may encounter people training.
