Mount Mitchell State Park
Saturday, August 13, 2022
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This
was such a fun hike with elevation changes, rock scrambling, views and more.
Turned out to be an overcast and misty day for most of the hike but I did get
some opportunities to see a view views of the mountains. Below are the trails
I used to create the loop which basically boards Mount Mitchell State Park
with some of the trails located in Pisgah National Forest. Here are the trails I
used to make this loop: Commissary
(MMSP) …………………………… 2.0 Miles MMSP =
Mount Mitchell State Park  3D Picture of my route through Mount Mitchell State Park Parking
at the park office I started off on the Commissary trail. The trail starts
off as a graveled road and has a moderate descent and on a clear day there
are several spots that provide great views. When you reach the Camp Alice
trail junction Commissary switches from gravel to dirt. Just before you reach
the junction with Buncombe Horse Range there are several nice backcountry
campsites. Commissary trail turns into Buncombe horse Range and now you are
in Pisgah National Forest. Most of this trail is under tree cover and you
travel at a gradual incline but nothing hard at all. At least on the day that
I hike the trail it was very saturated and appears it must be that way often.
There were circular cut logs throughout to try and help people stay out of the
muck. When you hit Big Tom Gap
/ Pisgah National Forest Trail #191a is when the hike gets real. I knew a
head of time that this section, while only 0.4 miles, was going to be a
doozie. Most of the elevation gain on this hike is on this trail. There are sections
that when muddy are supper slick and I feel it is easier going up this trail
as opposed to down it. Hiking this today with all the fog and mist I really
felt like I was in the Lord of the Rings book and at any moment I would have
ring wraths on my tail. There are also a few rock scrambles on this trail as
well. After
climbing up Big Tom you reach the ridgeline and at this point the trail is
call Deep Gap but actually starts off in Burnsville, NC as the Black Mountain
Crest. I tried to hike this one a few months ago and had to turn around
mostly because I was not going to have enough time. I plan to try this one
again in the very near future. |
- Pictures -       |
After you hit Mount Craig you go downhill for a little bit and then you start heading up and good incline. They do have stone steps to help you up however you are on natures stair mill. You will start hitting picnic areas that will open up to a parking lot. The summit is crowed with a lot of tourists since you can pretty much drive to the top. There is a gift shop and restaurant (snack) place and then you have just under a half mile hike up the summit trail to get to the top.
While not the Black Mountain Crest this trail is pretty difficult in its own right. It is steep, there are rock scrambles, and it is currently under construction that makes extremely slick in spots. The trail hugs the road down the mountain and you get a forest vibe. You will hit the parking lot to the main restaurant where the trails pick back up on the other side.
Extremely fun and challenging hike I would recommend this one. Also stay tuned for my second attempt at the Black Mountain Crest trail.
YouTube Video
Hiking Mount Mitchell State Park via Loop
