Mt. Mitchell to Mt. Craig in the Black Mountains.
Cool and refreshing elevation on hot summer days.
It gets to a point in late August, when the 89 degree days keep
repeating themselves like a record with a skip in it and you just want to
nudge the needle a little. That is when it is time to do this hike.
The Hike: Mt. Mitchell is the tallest point in the Appalachian mountains and the tallest point east of the Mississippi (6,684 ft.). Hand out the Dramamine, it's a long twisty ride to the top. In fact, it's two hours from our door in Johnson City to the summit, so this is a true day trip for a family. Also, it is not an easy hike: about 2 miles round trip from Mt. Mitchell to a small rocky weedy bald on the summit of Mt. Craig and back again with lots of up and down including technical rocky stuff in between. In spite of the long drive up and the challenging terrain, this is an awesome family hike, maybe best for kids 5 and up. Why? Kids love technical trails and these deliver without a real danger factor (i.e., few ledges, significant water crossings, etc.). Also, the top of Mt. Mitchell boasts a sweet little snack bar, museum, gift shop, and even a restaurant. Rangers and tourists abound, so you will have help if you need it in this remote destination.
At the summit, walk through the parking lot away from the snack bar. At the far side of the lot, you will see stone stairs leading down to the picnic tables below. The trail winds through the picnic area and beyond, eventually descending a long rock staircase, beautifully constructed to look "natural." Eventually, the trail starts to ascend a more technical path through rocks and boulders to the summit. The summit at Mt. Craig is not a large area - a clearing with brush, some weedy spots, and boulders where you can sit and have lunch. Hang out in the cool breezes before returning the way you came. One note: we went on Labor Day weekend and the summit at Mt. Craig was crowded. If you suspect a crowd, leave your lunch in the car and eat it in the picnic area after. The picnic area has phenomenal private sites built at the end of little paths well off the main trail with good privacy and some with spectacular views.
Directions: From the Tri-Cities you have a few good options, all about a 2 hour drive, for getting to Mt. Mitchell. The choice depends on your GPS savvy and interest in driving through the mountains to get there. The most straightforward (greatest amount of highway, fewest number of roads) is to take I-26 toward Asheville, getting off at Exit 9 - 19-N and 19E-N to Burnsville/Spruce Pine. Exit toward Burnsville and travel a little over 20 miles (you will pass the outskirts of Burnsville) before exiting to the right on Micaville Loop and then right again on US-80 toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. (At the intersection of Micaville Loop Rd. and US-20, there is an old grocery-store style building that rents stalls to regional artists and it is full of great finds). Take US-80 about 14 miles until you see a sign for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Exit off US-80 is on your right, then go left (south) on the Parkway. Follow the Parkway for about 11 miles. Signs will point you to Mt. Mitchell State Park, which is a right hand turn off the Parkway onto NC-128 N. Pass the restaurant and head all the way to the top to begin the hike.
repeating themselves like a record with a skip in it and you just want to
nudge the needle a little. That is when it is time to do this hike.
The Hike: Mt. Mitchell is the tallest point in the Appalachian mountains and the tallest point east of the Mississippi (6,684 ft.). Hand out the Dramamine, it's a long twisty ride to the top. In fact, it's two hours from our door in Johnson City to the summit, so this is a true day trip for a family. Also, it is not an easy hike: about 2 miles round trip from Mt. Mitchell to a small rocky weedy bald on the summit of Mt. Craig and back again with lots of up and down including technical rocky stuff in between. In spite of the long drive up and the challenging terrain, this is an awesome family hike, maybe best for kids 5 and up. Why? Kids love technical trails and these deliver without a real danger factor (i.e., few ledges, significant water crossings, etc.). Also, the top of Mt. Mitchell boasts a sweet little snack bar, museum, gift shop, and even a restaurant. Rangers and tourists abound, so you will have help if you need it in this remote destination.
At the summit, walk through the parking lot away from the snack bar. At the far side of the lot, you will see stone stairs leading down to the picnic tables below. The trail winds through the picnic area and beyond, eventually descending a long rock staircase, beautifully constructed to look "natural." Eventually, the trail starts to ascend a more technical path through rocks and boulders to the summit. The summit at Mt. Craig is not a large area - a clearing with brush, some weedy spots, and boulders where you can sit and have lunch. Hang out in the cool breezes before returning the way you came. One note: we went on Labor Day weekend and the summit at Mt. Craig was crowded. If you suspect a crowd, leave your lunch in the car and eat it in the picnic area after. The picnic area has phenomenal private sites built at the end of little paths well off the main trail with good privacy and some with spectacular views.
Directions: From the Tri-Cities you have a few good options, all about a 2 hour drive, for getting to Mt. Mitchell. The choice depends on your GPS savvy and interest in driving through the mountains to get there. The most straightforward (greatest amount of highway, fewest number of roads) is to take I-26 toward Asheville, getting off at Exit 9 - 19-N and 19E-N to Burnsville/Spruce Pine. Exit toward Burnsville and travel a little over 20 miles (you will pass the outskirts of Burnsville) before exiting to the right on Micaville Loop and then right again on US-80 toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. (At the intersection of Micaville Loop Rd. and US-20, there is an old grocery-store style building that rents stalls to regional artists and it is full of great finds). Take US-80 about 14 miles until you see a sign for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Exit off US-80 is on your right, then go left (south) on the Parkway. Follow the Parkway for about 11 miles. Signs will point you to Mt. Mitchell State Park, which is a right hand turn off the Parkway onto NC-128 N. Pass the restaurant and head all the way to the top to begin the hike.
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Camping near Mt. Mitchell. There are some great campgrounds near Mt. Mitchell if you want to make a weekend trip. Carolina Hemlocks Campground and Black Mountain Campground are both awesome places. They are both set on the South Toe River for hours of wet fun - another plus in the hottest summer months. Both are first-come first-served -- on Labor Day weekend we arrived Thursday afternoon to get two great sites, but the sites on the river were already full. Black Mountain campground has some great hiking and a bike trail along the river - a family could spend a day in the area without getting back into the car. Another option: Mt. Mitchell has a dozen or so sites at the top. These are reservable, very private, and uber-beautiful places but we did not take our kids when we went: you have to hike your gear to your site from the parking lot (uphill, could be a good trek depending on what site), the weather at the top is unpredictable with the potential for strong winds, and it is not a big campground where kids can safely explore on their own. That said, if you have a high parent to kid ratio (e.g., 1:1 or even 2:1) and you are willing to "work it" (board games, nature lessons, reading, and exploring together), a night on top of Mt. Mitchell would be a memorable one for an older child!