Black Mountains Trip Reports


Black Mountains Photos


Black Mountain Crest

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 and below the crest include:

Photos from a May, 2021 Team Waterfall adventure with Darrin, Scott, Spencer, John, David, Brandi, Thomas, Kitty, and the Gnome.     (Photos)
Photos from a September Team Waterfall weekend trip on private property in the Black Mountains, including hikes to Twin Falls, Worth Falls, and Pipeline Falls.     (Photos)
Our May, 2019 weekend with Team Waterfall backpacking in the Black Mountains.     (Photos)
My January, 2019 exploration of Grassy Knob Branch in the Black Mountains with Scott, Jennifer, and Jack.     (Photos)
Our October, 2018 camping weekend at John's secret cabin in the Black Mountains.     (Photos)
My June, 2018 backpacking trip in the Black Mountains, starting from the Woody Ridge Trailhead and going all the way to Mount Mitchell and back.     (Photos)
Our June, 2018 exploration of Camp Creek in the Black Mountains     (Photos)
My May, 2018 backpacking trip with Christy in the Black Mountains, featuring an exploration of Middle Creek with Thomas and Zachary on Saturday and a hike up Mount Mitchell on Sunday.     (Photos)
Our August, 2017 dayhike with the dogs to Potato Knob and Mount Gibbes in the Black Mountains.     (Photos)
My May, 2015 dayhike with Brenda combining the Woody Ridge Trail, the Black Mountain Crest, and the Colbert Ridge Trail.     Photos
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.







The Black Mountains Crest



The Craggy Mountains and Big Ivy

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:

Photos from a June, 2021 hike with Christy and the dogs to Bullhead Mountain in the Craggy Mountains.     (Photos)
Photos from a ,January 2021 hike with Christy, Jennifer, and the dogs to Little Andy Falls in Big Ivy / Coleman Boundary. We started from the Corner Rock Picnic Area, as Forest Road 74 is gated just beyond it in the winter. .     (Photos)
My May, 2014 exploratory hike and waterfall discovery with Jack, Jonathan, and Jess in the Big Ivy area.     Photos
My June, 2013 dayhike with Brenda on the Mountains to Sea Trail from Craggy Gardens to Balsam Gap.    Photos
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.








View from Craggy Pinnacle



Montreat

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:

Photos from a July, 2023 hike with Christy and Jackson to The Pinnacle and Rocky Knobs.     (Photos)
My December, 2017 dayhike with Stephanie from Montreat to the summit of Graybeard Mountain and back in fresh snow.     (Photos)
My April, 2017 dayhike with Christy in Christmount. Afterwards we visited Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain and saw a concert by moe. Photos.
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:

Our January, 2003 loop dayhike to High Top and High Windy.
Our January, 2002 dayhike to High Windy and High Top.






The Black Mountains?



Old Fort, Mackey Mountain & Woods Mountain

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. Farther northeast is the Little Switzerland area. Some hikes we've done there include:

Photos from our October, 2022 hike from Montreat to Lookout Mountain.     (Photos)
Photos from my June, 2022 hike with Thomas, Kitty, John, and David to the headwaters of the Catawba River.     (Photos)
Photos from an April, 2021 off-trail exploration of a creek in McDowell County with Thomas.     (Photos)
Photos from a March, 2021 Team Waterfall adventure with Zachary, Spencer, Carlos, Thomas, Kitty, David, and Brandi to Moderna Falls and Mackey Mountain.     (Photos)
Photos from a December, 2020 hike with Thomas to Mackey Mountain and beyond.     (Photos)
Photos from a September solo bushwhack on Toms Creek, well upstream from Toms Creek Falls.     (Photos)
Photos from an August hike with Jennifer, Scott, Seda, Jack, David, and Brandi to Cave Branch in the Curtis Creek area.    (Photos)
Our April, 2019 hike and Team Waterfall camping trip near Little Switzerland, Beyond Epicity.     (Photos)
Our May, 2018 weekend in Asheville for Christy's birthday, featuring short hikes to English Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, Catawba Falls, and more.     (Photos)
Our May, 2018 exploration of upper Curtis Creek with the dogs. We found two waterfalls on Curtis Creek and one on a tributary.     (Photos)
My April, 2017 hikes with Team Waterfall, including the discovery of a waterfall on Bear Drive Branch with Jennifer and an exploration of Middle Creek with Spencer.     Photos
My January, 2017 hike with Spencer and Kyle in the Catawba River Headwaters. Photos.
My July, 2014 dayhike with the dogs from Curtis Creek Campground to Mackey Creek.     Photos
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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The Black Mountains From Woods Mountain





Black Mountains Photos


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