Highly recommended. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/black-mountain-crest-loop-trail It's southern terminus is located … Mitchell, and only came across three people who were also doing the crest trail. The hike itself is quite diverse, covering a range of NC ecosystems, some only found in the Black Mountains. Mitchell State Park is typically closed all winter. Gain and lose over six thousand feet of elevation along the way. I was tracking a lollipop that would allow day hikers to enjoy the BMCT without doing the entire trail and needing a shuttle. If tallest-peak-in-the-east Mount Mitchell is the crowning jewel of the range, then the 11.5-mile Black Mountain Crest Trail is the strand of pearls. we did about 4 miles and then turned around, took us about 5 hours but we also stopped a few places and had lunch. Anyway, fun challenging hike, totally worth it. Be mindful that it’s an hour drive between points if you’re doing two cars, one at each end. He reluctantly dropped us off and asked if we could give him a ring when we got back to the car. The "death march" uphill was not as bad as it was advertised to be but it is a constant ramp that is much steeper than the norm; when your achilles and calves feel the pain instead of your quads you know it is steep. But it isn’t a scam, just some people are providing a service. I preferred the beginning part of the ridge, you can see the other 9 peaks and it’s a nice grassy walk for ~1.5 miles before it starts getting a bit more technical. It is most commonly hiked north to south, but by starting at Mount Mitchell you’ll be able to avoid the steep climb from Bowlens Creek and instead enjoy it as a four mile downhill stretch to end your hike. My GPS watch had this hike at 13.1 miles with 5600' gain. mount.mitchell@ncparks.gov GPS Track . Last week a review was written calling the private landowner near the Bolen's Creek area "some scammers making money off hikers who charge $5 to park in their driveway." Craig (6,647 feet) 1. You will be towed if you park here! The views from the many overlooks were tremendous, though the hike spends much more time under the canopy than I would have preferred. We set up camp and after 30 minutes decided to push out. It is really neat to look at the ridgeline ahead of you and see the final destination: Mount Mitchell. The Black Mountain Crest Trail is a point to point trail starting at Bowlens Creek Road and Ending at the Mt Mitchell Summit parking area or vice versa. I, determined to get first pick of a campsite, Headed South on the Black Mountain Crest Trail. I was in CrossFit this week and we did twenty weighted wall balls, followed by twenty box step ups, five rounds of this with a medicine ball. Mitchell (seasonal only). Mitchell. It is also a winter option when the state park is closed, so hopefully I can post it soon. Follow this to NC 1109 (Bolens Creek Road) on the left. But there are some great spots outside of deep gap not on the park boundary side. But I have a problem with the comments about scamming hikers for parking. This trail is definitely a beast. The views are absolutely stunning. The GPS came up with a little more distance than the park service for this trail but nor more than a half mile. Leave early in the morning because I clocked well over 12.5 miles before my watch died...and it took us 7.5 hours with barely any breaks when the hike called for 6.5. If tallest-peak-in-the-east Mount Mitchell is the crowning jewel of the range, then the 11.5 mile Black Mountain Crest Trail is the strand of pearls. I only saw 2 groups of 2 all day, and one of those groups was not close to the BMCT. Time was just under 7 hours but I did not take any long breaks. There is a crashed plane about 1-1.5 miles into the trail from 1966. Quite eerie. When I go to Asheville, I sometimes park in private lots. The first two are directly south of Celo Knob and beside the Woody Ridge Trail junction. This hike as described requires a shuttle between Bolens Creek Rd and Mount Mitchell State Park summit parking area. If tallest-peak-in-the-east Mount Mitchell is the crowning jewel of the range, then the 11.5 mile Black Mountain Crest Trail is the strand of pearls. A 12-mile thigh-buster, this trail crosses the summits of 10 mountains with elevations greater than 6200-feet. There is no water on the Crest Trail so it's a good idea to fill up here. SB6k Peak 2. The most reliable and affordable option is through the. Mitchell Trail isn’t enough for you, then tackle the Black Mountain Crest Trail. Has benchmark and plaque to mark summit 4. Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping 12.1 mls N/A Hiking Time: Elev. There were bear encounter warnings near several campsites along the ridgeline. Mitchell Trail. I can recall only one small stretch of about 50 yards where it leveled out some, the rest of the climb is up up up. Mitchell and Bolens Creek -- at least that was my experience. Mitchell the elevation gain is <3,000 feet. Happy Trails! I read the reviews before hiking this trail and had a good idea what to expect. My shoes and lower legs were caked in mud today. This hike was absolute insanity and we loved it so much we’re going back in 2 weeks. Description. Has benchmark and plaque to mark summit 3. https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm. It may be sunny at Bolens Creek but blizzard conditions at the top especially during the winter, Making an emergency evacuation impossible. This guide was so helpful for us the first go-round. Death March on the Black Mountain Crest Trail. The path is incredibly challenging, steep at times, and crosses several 6,000-foot peaks along the way. Black Mountain Crest Trail - Pisgah National Forest & Mt. From Celo Knob, the trail descends about 3500 feet to Bowlens Creek. My favorite part of this trail are the high elevation beautiful pine forests you hike through as you summit mountain after mountain. Call their office at least 48 hours ahead of time. Bring lots of water and nutrition. www.hikingupward.com. But, even with the frequent fog, it is still an excellent trail. (828) 675-4611 The Black Mountain Crest Trail Tee's Story. It’s totally unfair to call them scammers. take lots of water and its super windy/cold at the ridges if you stop moving so a proper layering system is wise. It was a very helpful mental game. Most describe pain … Great service provided by the county and the driver "Junior" was the man! By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins (Contact Zach). Why? Watch and laugh, as they quickly change their mind. I got to Deep Gap at about 4:00 and two hikers collapsed on the grass. Portions of this trail are steep. The ground is almost always wet and chances are you'll deal with slick rocks and roots, and mud. About halfway through the hike, I leaned over to pick up some trash and bonked my head hard onto a sharp pointy branch. They don't call it "The Death March" for nothing. Should you be ready for a large physical test: absolutely BLACK MOUNTAIN SECTION Grassy Cove Segment. Did this hike as prescribed above from Bowlens Creek to the Mt. It lives up to its reptuation. I really enjoyed the cooler weather and breeze at altitude. Although this trail is quite a beast, the outrageous views at each summit make the hike totally worth it! Very limited parking at Bowlens creek if any at all. The terrain also becomes much more technical to slow your pace. Continuing because I lost service for a few. I requested a shuttle at 6:30 AM from Cane River Gap (Big Butt Trailhead) to Bowlens Creek (Black Mountain Crest Trailhead. When we left at 4pm it was packed and the bottom was closed until more people left! This twelve mile trail is considered one of the toughest in the eastern USA with its 5000+ foot elevation overall gain/loss. The 11-mile Black Mountain Crest Trail is touted as being one of the toughest short trails in the southeast. I did a portion of this hike today, from mile 4.5 to mile 7.8. I like to park a car at the Bolen's Creek end and have my hiking partner drive us in another car up to Mount Mitchell. Mitchell. Several times hikers recently have arrived at the top only to find the BRP is closed due to snow and ice and their ride cannot get to them. If beginning at Bowlens Creek, use the parking area on NC 1109 (graded, but not paved). There are only 3 reliable locations to fill up. Upon coming out of the forest and onto Celo Knob you are hit with the beautiful view that the Blacks have to offer. This is ideal for 2-3 days backpacking. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is accessible year-round. I consider it a service to the hiking community! Author: BACKPACKERMagazine Updated: Oct 26, 2017 Original: Sep 19, 2013. This campground is open May 1 - October 31. For more info: http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/facilities.php, Mt. The Black Mountain Crest Trail is a rite of passage for trail runners and hikers in Western North Carolina. Hardest hike I’ve ever done (and I spent the summer hiking Colorado) but the other reviews say it all—breathtaking, well worth it. The Black Mountain Crest Trail is mostly through damp conifer forests that receive a lot of cloud moisture. A longer shuttle hike is possible during the winter using the Mt. Some of the trail near Bolens Creek is close to pools where fishing may be possible. A private landowner charges $5 to park on their property. Be prepared for ALOT of elevation gain and alot of rock scrambling. Black Mountain Crest #179 hike trail ; Overview; Photos (0); Videos (1); Reports (0); Comments (0); 3D Tour; Leaderboard This is the hike to take people on who say we dont have mountains in the south. Black Mountain Crest TR 179 This trail is rated as most difficult and crosses several 6,000 plus foot peaks. The trail is fantastic and one of the most challenging in the area. Old Mitchell, Camp Alice and Commissary Trail, Celo Knob Via Black Mountain Crest and Colbert Ridge Trails, Big Butt Peak, Cattail Peak, Mount Mitchell and Gibbs Mountain, Big Tom Gap Spur Trail via Black Mountain Crest Trail, Colbert Ridge to Mount Mitchell to Maple Camp Ridge Loop, Colbert Ridge to Big Tom Spur to Buncombe Horse Trail Loop, http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/facilities.php. Do a quick web search and one finds that the Black Mountain Crest Trail always comes with superlatives. The climb up Celo Knob is about as tough and unrelenting as I've ever done. The second option is Commissary Hill, which can be accessed by following the Mt. My shoes and lower legs were caked in mud today. After a few days of rain, the trail mud is a mess. The trail is rocky, eroded, and always tricky footing. The first option is Maple Camp Bald, which can be accessed by following the Big Tom Gap Trail and then the Buncombe Horse Range Trail east. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. I bought trekking poles for this hike and was glad I did! You can make a reservation to camp in the state park at the 9-site tent campground south of Mt. The cost of $21.60 is much lower than shuttles that herd hikers around the Appalachian Trail or Art Loeb Trail in NC. 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