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Though the Black Mountain range is not as long or as broad as the nearby Blue Ridge or Great Smoky mountain ranges, its peaks are higher. Six, in fact, are among the 10 highest in the eastern United States, and Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet, is one of them.
Mitchell's alpine environment hosts some birds more characteristic of New England and Canada, including winter wrens, slate-colored juncos, red crossbills and golden-crowned kinglets.
Northern flying squirrels and saw-whet owls are sometimes seen, as are white-tailed deer, black bear and an occasional bobcat or coyote.
Nearly 20 miles of trails offer a variety of walks, from short strolls to extensive hikes in the forest. The strenuous six-mile Mount Mitchell Trail goes to the Mitchell summit, where there is an observation tower offering views of mountains up to 70 miles away.
Next to the tower, which also is accessible from a summit parking lot, is the grave of Dr. Elisha Mitchell, who, in the mid-1800s, calculated the height of the peak using barometric pressure readings and mathematical formulas.
Deep Gap Trail, another demanding six-mile hike, leads to the summits of Mount Craig (6,647 feet), Big Tom (6,580 feet) , Balsam Cone (6,596 feet) and Cattail Peak (6,584 feet). Hikers should be prepared for cool weather even in summer.
The nine-site family campground accommodates tents only. Campers may leave vehicles in the park and backpack into the adjacent Pisgah National Forest.
Other park facilities include a restaurant and, near the summit parking lot, a small museum that interprets the park's history, forests, geology and wildlife.
The park is open year-round, though winter access can be difficult due to icy roadways. The Blue Ridge Parkway, the only road to the park, is sometimes closed due to inclement weather.
Outdoor Activities |
