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Black Mountain Range
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For 15 years Mt. Washington reigned supreme as the highest
peak I had attained. That long-standing record fell on Saturday
(9/4) when I scaled North Carolina's Mt. Mitchell with my father.
Mitchell,
indeed what I saw in the Southern Appalachians,
is quite different than it's northern counterparts. Besides
being forested to the top, the mountains we encountered
in the south seemed far less traveled.
The trails were also fewer and less maintained. Hiking does
not seem to be the "industry" that it is in ... say the Whites. Our journey
up "the highest peak east of the Mississippi" was approx. 11 1/2 miles
RT with 3,000 to 3,500 feet of el. gain. That's comparable to
virtaully all of the highest ADK'ers and a great deal of the Presi
routes.
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Skeleton Forest
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Many, if not all, of the Fraser Fir and Red Spruce trees
on Mitchell's upper slopes are dead or dying. I don't remeber the excat cause. Acid rain and pollution acerbate the problem no doubt. It gives you and eerie feeling
to walk among the hulks of these expired trees. Lower down,
some old growth stands still exist and seem as yet uneffected.
Trekking along under the canopy of these behemoths was a treat.
My map/guide said there was even one stand of "virgin" timber along our route.
I find it hard to believe that any grove in the East managed to escape the axe.
Its possible I suppose. The oaks we passed were impressive specimens. Some probably streched 150 ft. skyward and
had trunks a yard in diameter.
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Highest in the East
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This picture is a bit misleading. I had my father take it in a lull period when no tourists sullied the view. The truth is, Mt. Mitchell's summit is just as crowded and busy as Washington's on a sunny day. There is an observation tower, gift shop, restaurant and plenty of tourists to fill them. We milled around on top for a hour or so. Yet despite the buzz of vacationers who drove to reach this lofty vista, the magic of Mitchell is somehow not completely drowned out in all the commotion. And if that were'nt enough, the fact that it is a superlative mountain garners it special consideration as well.
Unless you cross the Mighty Mississippi, there is nowhere in the East to go but down from here.
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| Date of Hike: | Sept. 4 1999 |
Trail Names: | Mount Mitchell |
Distance: | 10-11 miles RT |
Elevation: | 3,600 + feet of gain |
Camping: | Yes |
| Weather: | Sunny and Warm |
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