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Mount Mitchell, Colbert Ridge Approach

Mount Mitchell, Colbert Ridge Approach

The beauty of this hike is that it escapes the maddening crowds of Mount Mitchell State Park, yet embraces the 6,000-foot hiking that makes the Black Mountains special. From the trailhead off Colbert Ridge Road/SR 1158, the trail follows its namesake ridge 3.9 miles up to Deep Gap on the Black Mountain Crest. From there, go south and rack up a string of six 6,000-foot peaks in as many miles (for a seventh, go a quarter mile north from Deep Gap for 6,203-foot White Star Mountain). Note: this is some rugged hiking, both in terms of altitude gain and the fact that this trail gets wind battered near the top and can be a challenge to negotiate — and sometimes find. Go prepared.

More info
Mount Mitchell State Park
– USDA Forest Service, Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, 828. 675.4611

Maps: “South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Maps,” USDA Forest Service.

Map of trailhead and shuttle here.
View 20 Classic NC Hikes: Colbert Ridge-Mount Mitchell in a larger map
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black mountains
Location: Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, Pisgah National Forest

Nearest town: Burnsville

Latitude: N35 45.050

Longitude: W82 13.314

Difficulty: Hard

Distance: 8.5 miles

Loop/one-way: One way

Time to complete: 8-12 hours

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