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Yancey County North Carolina Hiking Trails
Mt.
Mitchell Trail
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Length: 5.7 miles
Rating: Strenuous
This trail leads to the peak of Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of
the Mississippi (6650ft)
The trail begins at the bulletin board. Follow the blue blazes just
across FR 472. The blue blazes will lead you across Briar Bottom
Campground Road to the primitive trail. The trail climbs with several
switchbacks through virgin stands of hardwoods. After about 1.5 miles, the
trail intersects the Higgins Bald Ground Trail 190A on the left. Stay
right following the blue blazes of the Mt. Mitchell Trail. The trail
crosses Setrock Creek at mile 2.7, and the Higgins Bald Ground Trail
intersects again on the left.
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| The trail enters old growth stands of red
spruce and Fraser fir filling the air with scents of Christmas above 4500
feet. At mile 3.9, Buncombe Horse Range Trail 191 intersects. At mile 4, a
campground with large grassy fields is for tent camping. There is a stream
nearby. At about 5.4 miles, the trail intersects the Balsam Nature Trail.
The trail terminates at the Mt. Mitchell State Park museum. Continue right
to the highest peak east of the Mississippi. A lookout tower is on top
that provides amazing views. The Mt. Mitchell State Park parking lot is
visible from this point.
Directions:
From Burnsville North Carolina travel east on US 19E for about 4.3 miles to an access road
to NC 80. Turn right, go for .6 mile and turn right again on NC 80. Follow
this road for 11.6 miles to the Mt Mitchell Golf Course and turn right on
Forest Service Road 472. This road changes to gravel. After it changes to
gravel, arrive at an intersection at which you can go straight or take a
right. Take a right on this road, which keeps you on FS road 472. Go to a
parking lot on the left with a bulletin board with trail maps and
information. This is the trailhead.
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