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Mount Mitchell - Black Mountain Crest Trail #179

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.9 (67)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. Pisgah National Forest
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“The highest, most airy ridge traverse in the east and a destination hike not to be taken lightly. ”

Eric Heistand
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Map Key

12.1

Miles

19.5

KM

Point to Point

6,680' 2,036 m

High

3,083' 940 m

Low

5,010' 1,527 m

Up

1,498' 457 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

50%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

The Black Mountain Range has a small footprint but packs a mighty big punch. If tallest-peak-in-the-east Mount Mitchell is the crowning jewel of the range, then the 11.5 mile Black Mountain Crest Trail is the strand of pearls. Five of the top ten highest peaks in the east adorn this lofty ridge. Do a quick web search and one finds that the Black Mountain Crest Trail always comes with superlatives. Most describe pain and difficulty. Think critically about your water strategy and take lightning storms seriously. The trail is most aesthetically done as a one way, starting at Bowlen's Creek and ending at the summit of Mt. Mitchell.

Need to Know

For the full climbing experience, start at Bowlen's Creek Trailhead. Your destination is the summit of Mt. Mitchell. Stash a car or arrange for a ride from the summit parking area of Mt Mitchell. Locate Bowlen's Creek Trailhead by finding Water Shed Drive (marked "PVT" on the street sign).

Unless you have high clearance 4x4, use the two-car pull off on the right not far from the main road, but this fills up quickly. A paid parking area is available at Stanley Trail which is just before watershed road and operates on honor system. Do not park along state road near entrance to watershed road due to wet swampy conditions. The trailhead and several primitive camping spots are another 300-400 yards up the rough road.

Description

The initial climb from Bowlen's Creek to Celo Knob is the physical crux. Expect a 3000 ft gain with lots of heavy breathing. Your reward after 4 miles of climbing is a beautiful meadow with see-forever views in every direction. For bonus points, you can scramble on a side track to the bushy summit of Celo Knob. Good luck finding the Geological Survey Marker on the summit.

Mile eight is Deep Gap and it is significant for two reasons. First, it is the only legitimate camping spot on the trail. Second, and most importantly, it is the only spot to replenish your water supply. Don't expect a gusher in most seasons. To locate the water spring, take the Colbert Ridge Trail (which intersects the BMC trail at Deep Gap) for a short distance, probably less than 100 meters. A small rock/cave is where the spring is located. Your next water source is the Mount Mitchell Summit, assuming the bathrooms are open.

From Deep Gap, it's onward and upward to Potato Hill. Don't let the lowly name fool you. It's a crusher of a climb. The next four, 6,000+ ft peaks on the ridge start passing more easily. Enjoy the black fir forests filled with weathered stone and leafy ferns. A sense of the ancient abounds here.

An easier trail section and picnic tables are the sure sign that your wilderness hike is almost over. Mt Mitchell and the inevitable tourists who have driven up in their cars await you. Take the short ramp to the summit and try not to gloat.

Flora & Fauna

Black fir forests and black bears.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger District

Shared By:

Eric Heistand with improvements by Travis Smith
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 67 votes

#1

in Pisgah National Forest

#58

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  4.9 from 67 votes
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#1

in Pisgah National Forest

#2

in North Carolina

#58

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Photos

Afternoon sun streaming through the trees on the Crest Trail.
Apr 26, 2017 near Burnsville, NC
Morning glory on the Black Mountain Crest Trail.
Jan 17, 2016 near Burnsville, NC
Deep Gap trail at Mt Mitchell.
Mar 10, 2016 near Burnsville, NC
Sunrise on Gibbs Mountain Smaller Appalachian mountains poke through the low clouds
May 11, 2019 near Burnsville, NC
The storms are on their way as we head up Mt. Mitchell from Bolen's Creek through Deep Gap.
Jun 21, 2017 near Burnsville, NC
Sunrise on the Black Mountain Crest Trail.
Jan 17, 2016 near Burnsville, NC

10 Comments

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Check-Ins

May 8, 2022
Blake Dickson
Really great trail. It rained, so was muddy in many places, including some steep sections. All puddles and mud was traversable though. — 7h 00m
Nov 20, 2021
Ed Hickey
Great route, but definitely some challenging sections. 11.4mi — 4h 28m
Aug 24, 2021
David Rousmaniere
Nov 21, 2020
Zachary Bowen
12.1mi — 25h 00m
Nov 1, 2020
Yossi Sadowsky
started at bowlens, ended at big butt mountain. paid for parking. Trail was nice and easy to follow, slick scrambling and very windy/rainy 26mi — 10h 20m
Sep 7, 2020
A L
Aug 28, 2020
Sam Ross
I parked at Mt. Mitchell parking lot and wanted to hike to Celo. Much harder than I expected. Took longer than Grand Canyon Rim 2 Rim. 16mi — 11h 30m
Aug 9, 2019
Will Baldwin

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