View Full Version : where is Mt Mitchel located? close to AT?
Hi,
I understand that while Cligman's Dome is the highest point on the AT, it is Mt Mitchell that is highest peak in the east. Where is it located exactly...and is it easily reached from the Appalachian Trail? could one "scoot over" to bag the peak whilst thu hiking the AT?
nhhiker
TakeABreak
06-30-2005, 23:13
Mt. Mitchell, is located abot 25 miles northeast of Ashville, N.C., as far as I know there is not trail leading to it from the A.T., my best guess is that it is about 25 miles from the A.T. Given this information you should be able to find it on a road atlas.
Nearly Normal
06-30-2005, 23:16
Yancy County NC, close to Burnsville.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has an access. Yes, there is a trail.
pete
Mt. Mitchell, is located abot 25 miles northeast of Ashville, N.C., as far as I know there is not trail leading to it from the A.T., my best guess is that it is about 25 miles from the A.T..
You could bail off the AT near Mt Collins in the Smokies and hike the Mountains to Sea Trail to the top of Mt Mitchell. Offhand, it's about 160 miles and parallels much of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The MST starts at Clingman's Dome and shares the AT to Mt Collins.
MST Info (http://www.ncmst.org/)
Thanks folks..now that I know where it is...
Is there any point in going there? I mean could one see anything from Mitchell that you can't see from Clingman's Dome? I know the reason to go is that it is the highest...but apart fromthat...what's it like and would you reccommend?
Jack Tarlin
07-01-2005, 18:21
If you Google "Mt. Mitchell", you'll a very comprehensive website on Mt.Mitchell State Park, put out by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation; it should answer lots of your questions.
Big Dawg
07-01-2005, 22:55
Thanks folks..now that I know where it is...
Is there any point in going there? I mean could one see anything from Mitchell that you can't see from Clingman's Dome? I know the reason to go is that it is the highest...but apart fromthat...what's it like and would you reccommend?
Mt.Mitchell was a blast,, especially the Deep Gap Trail (crest trail). I think it would be a reasonable side venture since you'd be so close. Ultimately it's another tall mountain w/ similar views, although it reminds me more of hiking up north. In my opinion, it would be worth baggin, on a clear day! :sun
Moon Monster
07-02-2005, 14:21
Thanks folks..now that I know where it is...
Is there any point in going there? I mean could one see anything from Mitchell that you can't see from Clingman's Dome? I know the reason to go is that it is the highest...but apart fromthat...what's it like and would you reccommend?
Unless, you love NC mountains and want to see them from all perspectives, you'd probably think that the tower on Mitchel has essentially equivalent views from Clingmans'. But, it is an obviously noteworthy peak to bag, if peakbagging or highpointing is your hobby. (They are planning rennovations to the tower soon, however, check with the Mt. Mitchell State Park for the latest).
The Black Mounatin Crest Trail north from Mitchell over the J-shaped ridge of the Blacks is quite awesome by Southern standards. It would astound many AT hikers with its raw similarity to hiking in New Hampshire and Maine.
The Crest trail is much more rugged and steep than the AT through the Smokies. And it features a similar array of exposed rocks and roots in a fir forest to what Maine has. It is usually chilly and can have bad weather in any season. There are some open meadows and open rock outcrops on the summits, and you'd walk several 6,000 footers. It is about 12-miles one-way, but that's from parking lot to parking lot. You could do less.
Everyone living in the area should definitely do this trail to get a flavor for what New England hiking is like. But, if you are on your way to Maine, then it's probably not a worthy excursion unless you find an easy ride over to Mitchell.
Nightwalker
07-05-2005, 19:12
Thanks folks..now that I know where it is...
Is there any point in going there? I mean could one see anything from Mitchell that you can't see from Clingman's Dome? I know the reason to go is that it is the highest...but apart fromthat...what's it like and would you reccommend?In my opinion, the big difference is that there are a number of similar-height mountains near Mitchell. Clingman's Dome is a good bit higher than other mountains around it and has a more dramatic view.
I may be remembering wrong, however.
NHhiker--
About 10 years ago I day-hiked in the Black Mountains for several days, headquartered at Cielo (expensive). Enjoyable, scenic, expect rain and lots of it.
Walt