Black Mountains Trip Reports
Black Mountain Crest
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The Black Mountains are the highest peaks in the eastern United States, capped by 6684' Mount Mitchell. This range features some of the most rugged hiking in the southeastern United States. Some hikes we've done along the crest include: My June, 2006 backpacking trip with Bob from Bowlens Creek to Mount Mitchell. Photos My January 2006 solo dayhike from Black Mountain campground to Mount Mitchell. My March, 2005 solo backpacking trip from Woody Ridge to Carolina Hemlocks. My September, 2004 solo backpacking loop trip from Carolina Hemlocks, including the summit of Mount Mitchell. Our November, 2003 backpacking trip from Mountain Mitchell to Deep Gap. Our February, 2003 dayhike on the crest, starting from Mount Mitchell. Our February, 2002 dayhike from Mount Mitchell Road to Balsam Gap. My September, 2001 solo dayhike up Woody Ridge to Gibbs Mountain. Our March, 2001 dayhike to Potato Knob. Our September, 2000 backpacking trip from Carolina Hemlocks to Bowlens Creek. Our January, 2000 attempted dayhike from Mount Mitchell Road to Balsam Gap. Our 3-day backpacking trip from Bowlens Creek to Carolina Hemlocks. |
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Where the Black Mountains leave off, the Craggy Mountains begin. The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the crest of the Craggies north from Asheville on its way by Mount Mitchell. The Craggies may be best known for their displays of blooming Rhododendron and Flame Azalea in June. They also feature outstanding views from grassy meadows as well as old growth forest. Some of the hikes we've done in the Craggies include: My January, 2013 dayhike with J Bob in the Big Ivy area, including a new waterfall discovery on Walker Creek. Photos Our December, 2012 dayhike on the MST from Mount Mitchell Road to Blackstack Knob and back. Photos My September, 2010 dayhike with Jack from Cane River Gap to Big Butt and Little Butt. Photos My October, 2008 dayhike with Myron, Dorcas, and the puppies from Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to Little Snowball Mountain. Photos My June, 2007 dayhike with Jack on the MST from Craggy Gardens to Craven Gap. Photos Our January, 2007 dayhike from Craggy Gardens to Douglas Falls. Photos My November, 2006 dayhike with Rocky on the MST from Craggy Gardens to Balsam Gap. Photos Our August, 2004 dayhike on the MST from the Graybeard Mountain overlook to Mt. Mitchell Road. Our June, 2004 dayhike on the MST from Craggy Gardens to Balsam Gap. Our May, 2002 dayhike on the MST from Rattlesnake Lodge to Craggy Gardens. Our June, 2001 dayhike from Craggy Gardens to Douglas Falls. Our June, 2000 dayhike on the MST from Craggy Gardens to Balsam Gap, with a side trip to Craggy Dome.
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On the north side of Black Mountain lies the Montreat Conference Center. It features a designated wilderness area and a network of trails that are open to the public. Some of the hikes we've done there include: My April, 2012 dayhike with Bob S and J Bob from The Blue Ridge Parkway to The Pinnacle, Rocky Knobs and Greybeard. Photos My February, 2011 backpack from Montreat to Rocky Knob and Greybeard. Photos My January, 2009 dayhike with Bob and Dave to Greybeard Mountain and Rocky Knobs. Photos Our February, 2006 dayhike to Greybeard. Our March, 2005 dayhike from Montreat to Lookout Mountain and Rattlesnake Knob. Our August, 2003 dayhike from the Parkway to Greybeard, where we interrupted a couple "enjoying nature". Our January, 2003 dayhike to Greybeard in deep snow. Our August, 2001 dayhike to Greybeard, featuring an exciting bear sighting. Our February, 2001 backpacking trip loop including Lookout Mountain and Greybeard Mountain. Our December, 200 dayhike from the South Toe River to The Pinnacle. Our October, 2000 dayhike from Montreat to Greybeard Mountain. Our October, 1999 dayhike from the Parkway to Greybeard, via The Pinnacle and Rocky Knobs.
On the opposite side of the Swannanoa River Valley lies a separate section of the Blue Ridge. The YMCA conference center in Black Mountain features a network of trails that are open to the public. Hikes we've done there include:
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Old Fort, Mackey Mountain & Woods Mountain
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The mountains near Old Fort feature additional hiking opportunities. In fact, I did some of my first hiking as a kid at Camp Grier, outside of Old Fort. Some hikes we've done there include: Brenda's report of our April, 2013 exploratory dayhike in search of undocumented waterfalls on Licklog Branch. Photos My April, 2012 backpacking trip with J Bob, Bob J and the dogs on the Mackey Mountain Trail. Photos My May, 2011 dayhike with J Bob along an unnamed tributary of Curtis Creek in search of old growth forest and undocumented waterfalls. Photos My May, 2010 dayhike with Bob J from Curtis Creek Campground up Snooks Nose Ridge to Green Knob. Photos My October, 2009 dayhike with Bob, Joel, and Dave from Armstrong Creek to Woods Mountain. Photos My May, 2009 dayhike with Bob from Black Mountain Campground to Green Knob. Photos My April, 2009 dayhike with Jack, Bob, Andy, Joel, and Boone in the Mackey Mountain area. Photos Our December, 2008 dayhikes with Myron, Dorcas, and the puppies to Armstrong Creek, Crabtree Falls, and Toms Creek Falls. Photos My May, 2008 solo dayhike up Heartbreak Ridge to The Pinnacle. Photos My March, 2008 dayhike with Bob and Bob from Curtis Creek Campground to Snooks Nose & Green Knob. Photos My June, 2009 dayhikes with Bob, Laura, Myron, Dorcas, and Joel to Catawba Falls, Upper Catawba Falls, and Christmount. Photos My February, 2008 dayhikes with Bob to Catawba Falls, Upper Catawba Falls, and Young's Ridge. Photos Our December, 2005 dayhike from Woodlawn to the North Fork of the Catawba River. A challenging dayhike in May, 2005 up Heartbreak Ridge to The Pinnacle. My January, 2005 dayhike from Black Mountain Campground to Green Knob. Our November, 2004 dayhike from Singecat Branch, on highway 80, to Woods Mountain and on to the South Toe River. Our May, 2002 dayhike from Curtis Creek to Black Mountain Campground, via Snooks Nose Ridge and Green Knob. Our February, 2002 dayhike to Mackey Creek. Our December, 2001 dayhike from Buck Creek Gap to Woods Mountain .
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