Black Mountain Crest Trail

Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas.

Pisgah National Forest

Length: 12.0 miles
Rating: Strenuous

This trail is renowned as the most rugged trail of the east. There are places where you have to use your hands to climb up certain steep sections, although no ropes are required.

This trail is blazed orange, although the blazing get sparse near trail intersections and near the middle of the trail. This trail is not maintained, but is fairly easy to follow. It is renowned as the most rugged trail of the east. There are places where you have to use your hands to climb up certain steep sections, although no ropes are required.

This is the first of over a dozen 6000+ feet peaks that will be traversed. Follow the trail and reach a sign indicating White Oak Creek Trail to the left near Horse Rock. This is the old Woody Ridge Trail (#177) that is no longer in use. Follow this trail along the ridge to Gibbs Mountain. Arrive at Colbert Ridge Trail (#178) intersection. Continue south to the former site of Deep Gap Trail shelter. Several campsites are in this area. Be sure to follow the blazes carefully in this area. Continue to Potato Hill, Cattail Peak, and Balsam Cone-all of which flank the Middle Creek Natural Area to the east. Continue to Big Tom Peak and arrive at the Big Tom Gap Trail (#191A) intersection. Continue to Mt. Craig. During this stretch you will see advisory signs to stay on the trail to help preserve natural wildlife and vegetation. From the peak of Mt Craig, you will see the Mt Mitchell tower. Continue for a half mile to the Mt Mitchell parking lot. Note that your high point will be 6684 ft if you continue to the top of Mt. Mitchell. This trail is the most strenuous due to the constant traversing of all the 6000 feet peaks that involve very steep ascents and descents.

Directions:

From Burnsville North Carolina travel east on 19E for half a mile and turn right on NC 197 (south) at the Texaco gas station. Follow this to NC 1109 (Bolens Creek Rd) on the left. Follow this road to the hairpin turn to the right. In this turn is a residential sign with the names "Hubata, Ashley, Stewart" on it. This is the trailhead. If you have a high clearance 4WD vehicle, you can drive up this road a short ways. Park near the gate on the road, but do not block the gate. For those with regular vehicles, drive further on NC 1109 to a cemetery with a chain link fence. It is on the right. This is private land, but if you get permission you can park here.