Mount Mitchell - Peakbagger.com Peakbagger.com Prominence: 6089 ft, 1856 m Elevation: 6684 feet, 2037 meters True Isolation: 1188.99 mi, 1913.49 km Elevation Info: NAVD88 Elevation : 6684 ft / 2037 m Latitude/Longitude (WGS84) 35° 45' 53'' N; 82° 15' 54'' W 35.764857, -82.26506 (Dec Deg) 385643E 3958606N Zone 17 (UTM) Country (Peak is on over 20 lists; Not all shown here.) Selected Guidebook(s) for this Peak: Prominence Ladder from Mount Mitchell Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains, and on the mainland of eastern North America.

No land is higher than Mount Mitchell in the vast area between the Black Hills of South Dakota, the Arctic peaks of Greenland, and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. The closest higher peak is over 1,200 miles away, in New Mexico's Rocky Mountain foothills. Of all the peaks in the contiguous United States, only Mount Whitney in California is further away from higher ground than Mount Mitchell. Mount Mitchell was named for Dr. Elisa Mitchell, who became involved in a controversy with Senator Thomas Clingman over who first recognized this peak as the highest in the Appalachians. In 1857, while making further measuremnts, Mitchell fell to his death near the summit now named for him. Clingman had to make due with getting his name on the highest point in the Great Smokies, as well as on Clingmans Peak (6520') just to the south of Mount Mitchell. Most people get to Mount Mitchell on the 3.5 mile spur road from the Blue Ridge Parkway, which leads to a large parking lot, a concession stand, the grave of Dr. Mitchell, and an observation tower that allows far-ranging views over the trees.

For hikers who don't mind a steep 5.4-mile, 3600 foot gain walk through thick forest to get to this overly civilized mountaintop, the Mount Mitchell trail begins in the valley to the east, at Black Mountain Campground off of NC Route 80. A very misty day on the highest peak in the Eastern United States, Mount Mitchell (1984-08-18). Web Map Links Mount Mitchell | NCpedia Mount Mitchell by Ron Holland, 2006 Mount Mitchell , at 6,684 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the eastern United States. Located in the Black Mountain range of the Southern Appalachians , it is part of an intricate mountain system featuring some of the oldest and most complex geological formations on earth. Although the Black Mountains are only about 15 miles in length, the major peaks average well above 6,000 feet in elevation. Anthropologists believe the earliest inhabitants in the vicinity of Mount Mitchell settled there some 13,000 years ago. At the time the first white explorers and settlers arrived, the area was a hunting ground for the Cherokee Indians .

Following the American Revolution , however, the Indians were pushed westward from the area by a relentless tide of white settlers. Perhaps the first European to ascend Mount Mitchell was French botanist André Michaux , who collected plant specimens in the Black Mountains in 1789. Michaux also ascended Grandfather Mountain , mistakenly proclaiming it to be the highest peak in the Appalachians. Another botanist who explored the area was John Fraser , for whom the Fraser fir was named. The Fraser fir grows naturally along the Black Mountain summits. The first person to scientifically study Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains from the standpoint of physical geography was Professor Elisha Mitchell of the University of North Carolina . In 1835 Mitchell took barometric pressure readings from the major peaks of the Black Mountain range to determine their altitudes. From his observations Mitchell determined that the highest point in eastern America was in the Black Mountains rather than in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, as was previously believed. Mitchell returned to the Black Mountains in 1838 and again in 1844 for further study.

In the mid-1850s, Mitchell became embroiled in a bitter dispute with a former student, Congressman Thomas Lanier Clingman , over whether or not Mitchell had correctly identified the highest peak in the Black Mountains. The dispute escalated until the summer of 1857, when Mitchell returned to the Black Mountains to try to verify his earlier scientific findings. In the process of trying to obtain corroborative evidence, Mitchell was hiking across the northwest side of Mount Mitchell when he slipped and fell from a cliff near a 40-foot waterfall, hitting his head and drowning. The location of his death is known today as Mitchell Falls. The controversy, which did not die with Mitchell, subsequently became entangled further in the politics of the day. Zebulon B. Vance was one of Mitchell's most vocal defenders. Clingman may have won the public debate while Mitchell lived; however, after the tragic accident, the beloved professor was vindicated as far as Clingman's political enemies and the people in general were concerned. Mitchell's body, having been interred in Asheville, was reinterred a year later at the summit of the mountain that continues to bear his name.

In 1939 the Blue Ridge Parkway was completed from N.C. 80 to Black Mountain Gap. The following year the state acquired and improved the toll road from the parkway to Camp Alice. As a result, the public was given toll-free motor road access to Mount Mitchell for the first time. A new road (present-day N.C. 128) from the parkway was constructed to within a short walk of the summit in 1948. Two years later, the Blue Ridge Parkway was completed to Asheville , resulting in more than 200,000 people making their way to Mount Mitchell in 1950. A new observation tower was completed in 1960 to accommodate the increase in visitation. In the 1970s legislation proposing to make Mount Mitchell a national park was passed by Congress; however, there was considerable local opposition and the idea was dropped in 1979. In the 1980s and 1990s, an environmental problem developed that threatened Mount Mitchell State Park as well as other peaks in the Southern Appalachians approximately 6,000 feet elevation and above.

The balsam forests at the mountain summit were attacked by an insect called the balsam woolly aphid. Acid rain and other atmospheric pollution from industrial activities in other areas of the country began taking a toll on the balsams also. By the mid-1990s practically all of the trees at the summit had died. A number of scientists set forth the theory that the trees were weakened by pollution, therefore making them susceptible to insect attack. Although young seedlings on the summit appeared to be healthy, it was questionable as to whether the balsam forests on Mount Mitchell and the other Black Mountain summits would return or not. In 1993 Mount Mitchell was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This designation added Mount Mitchell to an elite group of sites throughout the world that are protected for the purpose of discovering the solutions to problems of conservation, sustainable development, and other issues. References: Thomas E. Jeffrey, "'A Whole Torrent of Mean and Malevolent Abuse': Party Politics and the Clingman-Mitchell Controversy, Part 1," NCHR 70 (July 1993).

Jeffrey, "'A Whole Torrent of Mean and Malevolent Abuse': Party Politics and the Clingman-Mitchell Controversy, Part 2," NCHR 70 (October 1993). Timothy Silver, Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains: An Environmental History of the Highest Peaks in Eastern America (2003). Videos Mt Mitchell State Park Located in a 1,855-acre North Carolina State Park, Mount Mitchell (elevation 6,684 feet) is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. Located about 35 miles northeast of downtown Asheville, you reach Mount Mitchell via a very scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway . From the Parkway, take NC Highway 128 all the way to the summit. From the parking area, walk up a 1/4-mile paved accessible trail to the observation deck for 360-degree panoramic views. See a great view of Mt Mitchell from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 350 (peak fall color in pic above). Because of the altitude, many of the plants and animals are like those native to alpine environments of Canada. Mt.

Mitchell is part of the Black Mountain range, formed more than a billion years ago. Six peaks in the small range are among the ten highest in the eastern United States including Mount Craig (6,647 feet), Balsam Cone (6,621 feet), Big Tom (6,581 feet) and Mount Gibbes (6,571 feet). Read more in the summit museum. Both it and the restaurant are open May-October. Tips for Visiting Mt Mitchell Bring a jacket or an extra layer of clothes. Temperatures are usually 10-30 degrees cooler than Asheville. Weather conditions can change rapidly. Take rain gear along if you are hiking. Eight out of ten days, the summit is covered in clouds and fog. Watch the weather, and try to visit when skies are very clear in Asheville. Allow plenty of driving time to reach Mt Mitchell (at least one hour from Asheville). The entrance is from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the traffic can be slow, especially on the weekends. The park is open year-round unless there the roads are covered in snow and ice. Since sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway close during much of the winter between Asheville and Mt.

Mitchell, the only winter access is taking the Parkway south from NC Highway 80. Clear winter days can provide the longest views, but the wind and frigid temperatures can be unbearable. Call the Park office at 828-675-4611 to check winter road conditions. Enjoy a relaxing meal in the restaurant, located a half mile from the entrance of the park. Open May through October, it has a casual menu and scenic views. There's also a small gift shop and a "porch" with rocking chairs. The summit exhibit hall, concession stand and gift shop are also open May through October. Take a short hike on a paved trail (1/4 mile) to the Observation Deck atop Mt. Mitchell. It's ADA wheelchair accessible all the way (but uphill). Have a mile-high picnic. The shady picnic area, open year-round, is located at the north end of the summit parking lot. Forty picnic tables, stone grills and drinking water supply all the essentials. Two picnic shelters with fireplaces are perfect for group picnics. Hiking To enjoy the diverse flora and fauna in the forests on the summit, take a walk on the loftiest North Carolina hiking trails.

Even a short walk can be very rewarding. Deep Gap Trail: For great views of Mount Mitchell from Mount Craig (6,647 feet, the second highest peak in the eastern United States), take a two-mile roundtrip hike through a Canadian-like forest. Deep Gap Trail begins at the picnic area near the beginning of the summit parking area. You will descend Mitchell and climb to the peak of Craig. And you can continue for a longer hike. See our Deep Gap Trail / Mt. Craig Guide. Balsam Trail: This easy, self-guided interpretive trail gives a glimpse at the effects of acid rain. This 3/4 mile loop trail begins near the observation deck. Go to the top of the observation deck, and as you head back to the parking lot, look for the Balsam Trail on the right. The trails ends at the parking lot. Pick up a guide at the park office or summit gift shop. See our Winter Hike on the Balsam Trail. Mount Mitchell Trail: This long, strenuous hiking trail leads from the Black Mountain Campground to the summit. Most of the trail is on USFS property. Climbs 3,600' in 5.5 miles.

It's steep and rough in sections, but there are spectacular views. You'll travel through a mixed hardwood forest at lower elevations, dense, old-growth spruce forests in upper elevations and almost pure stands of Fraser Fir at the top. An alternate trail to Higgins Bald adds 0.2 miles to the length. This path is shared with the Mountains to Sea Trail along its entire route. Many folks park one car at the top and leave from another car at the Campground, so you can easily hike this in one day. When leaving the campground ( Setrock Creek Falls is nearby), the trail crosses a bridge over the South Toe River and enters a hardwood and evergreen forest. After many tight switchbacks up steep terrain, the trail crosses Higgins Bald Trail at 1.5 miles. After four miles, the trail passes remaining foundations of the 1920 Camp Alice logging camp. The trail then joins the Balsam Trail at mile 5.2 at the observation tower on Mount Mitchell. Just 0.3 mile farther is the parking lot. Want to add another 3.3 miles? Start your hike at Green Knob Lookout Tower instead! Camping The nine-site family campground is open May-October with full facilities.

Winter camping is available depending on weather with limited facilities. Only tent camping is allowed. Each site is equipped with a grill and picnic table. Modern restrooms for use during warm seasons are located nearby. Showers and hot water are not provided. Reserve a space online . Dogs Pets are permitted in the park and on hiking trails so long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Plantlife On eight out of ten days, Mount Mitchell is covered in clouds and fog that are sometimes as acidic as vinegar. In spite of the losses suffered due to this and the balsam woolly adelgid that killed many hemlocks on the mountain, the flora of Mount Mitchell remains among the most distinctive and diverse in the Southern Appalachians. The park protects the most extensive assortment of rare plant and animal species in the state park system, and the spruce-fir forests, while greatly diminished, are still present. Red spruce, fire cherry, yellow birch, mountain ash, and mountain maple have filled gaps opened by the loss of Fraser fir, and other native plant species such as blueberry, mountain raspberry, red elder, and bush honeysuckle produce beautiful blossoms and lend fragrance to the air.

Wildflowers, including ox-eye daisy, white snakeroot, purple-fringed orchid, St. John's wort and pink turtlehead color the landscape. Birding Bird watchers have recorded 91 species in the park. Birds more characteristic of New England and Canada — including winter wrens, slate-colored juncos, red crossbills and golden-crowned kinglets — nest at these high altitudes. Spring and summer bring the drumming of ruffed grouse. From the observation tower, visitors can often see peregrine falcons whipping past. Lucky visitors might also catch a glimpse of a northern flying squirrel or hear the call of the saw-whet owl. Also see our Asheville Birding Guide . Directions The best way to get to Mt. Mitchell from Asheville is via the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 355.4). From the Parkway's Folk Center, just outside of Asheville, it's a 27 mile beautiful drive (mostly up!). Allow one hour to drive, since traffic can be slow and you'll want to stop at overlooks along the way. This section of the Parkway is closed much of the winter.

The alternate route is to take I-40 East from Asheville to Exit 86 ( Marion ). Follow U.S. 221 North about 10 miles to U.S. 70 West. Go about two miles to NC Highway 80 and go north to the Parkway. Drive south on the Parkway to the entrance of Mt. Mitchell State Park. Also see: Mount Mitchell Scenic Byway . Hours & Admission - Park Hours are November-February 7 AM-6 PM, March & April 7 AM-8 PM, September & October 7 AM-9 PM and May-August 7 AM-10 PM. Closed Christmas Day and for snow/ice. During the winter months, call the park office (828-675-4611) to see which roads are open. Mt. Mitchell averages 100+ inches of snow each winter. - Admission is free. Weather Bring a jacket since it's often 10-30 degrees cooler than Asheville. The weather on Mount Mitchell is very mild in the summer and very harsh in the winter, more like Maine or southeastern Canada than the southeastern U.S.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in the state occurred there on January 21, 1985 when it fell to −34 °F. Unlike the lower elevations around Asheville, heavy snows often fall from December to March, with 50 inches accumulating in the Blizzard of 1993. Snow flurries have been reported on the summit even in the summer months of June, July, and August. The summit is often windy, with the record being 178 MPH. Visit during the winter! Nearby Waterfalls Two waterfalls at the base of Mt. Mitchell, located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, are Roaring Fork Falls and Setrock Creek Falls . Video: 360-Degree View from the Mt Mitchell Summit UNC Press - Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains 2004 Phillip D. Reed Memorial Award, Southern Environmental Law Center 2003 Old North State Award, North Carolina Literary and Historical Association Each year, thousands of tourists visit Mount Mitchell, the most prominent feature of North Carolina's Black Mountain range and the highest peak in the eastern United States.

From Native Americans and early explorers to land speculators and conservationists, people have long been drawn to this rugged region. Timothy Silver explores the long and complicated history of the Black Mountains, drawing on both the historical record and his experience as a backpacker and fly fisherman. He chronicles the geological and environmental forces that created this intriguing landscape, then traces its history of environmental change and human intervention from the days of Indian-European contact to today. Among the many tales Silver recounts is that of Elisha Mitchell, the renowned geologist and University of North Carolina professor for whom Mount Mitchell is named, who fell to his death there in 1857. But nature's stories--of forest fires, chestnut blight, competition among plants and animals, insect invasions, and, most recently, airborne toxins and acid rain--are also part of Silver's narrative, making it the first history of the Appalachians in which the natural world gets equal time with human history. It is only by understanding the dynamic between these two forces, Silver says, that we can begin to protect the Black Mountains for future generations. Timothy Silver is professor of history at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

His previous publications include A New Face on the Countryside: Indians, Colonists, and Slaves in South Atlantic Forests, 1500-1800. Reviews "[An] instructive story of both ecological change and the impact of human activity on the natural environment. . . . [Silver's] interweaving of his personal journal of visits to the mountains adds a surprisingly spiritual dimension to the scholarly narrative. This book is politically, culturally, philosophically, biologically, and--for its author and its readers--personally engaging." --Mountain Research and Development "An excellent case-study in environmental history. The emphasis on the role of human decisions in the composition and workings of contemporary ecosystems coupled with the recognition that 'nature' is also an active player makes the book worthwhile reading for geographers as well as ecologists, for students and educators as well as the general public." --Historical Geography "Silver acts as both nature guide and interpreter of history in his book. . . . As a naturalist he is skilled, thoughtful, and engaging. . . .

This is matched by equal competency as a historian, including the ability to labor productively in multiple fields." --Journal of American History "Like the natural world that is his subject, Timothy Silver's new environmental history of Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains is complex and compelling. . . . Gracefully written and well-organized. . . . Silver's work is one of only a handful of studies that consider the natural world as an active agent in the Appalachian history and, as such, is an important contribution to the field." --H-Appalachia "The environmental history of the Appalachian Mountain region is a field that recently has seen the publication of several very good books, of which Timothy Silver's Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains is one. . . . A very worthwhile book." --H-Environment "[A] passionate . . . [and] accessible work that will satisfy both the professional historian and the inquisitive citizen." --American Historical Review Hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina Hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina Overview At the crest of the rugged Black Mountains rises the highest peak east of the Mississippi River: Mount Mitchell.

Created by the state in 1915 to protect the last stands of virgin timber on the mountain, Mount Mitchell State Park encompasses an environment more like that of Canada than the Southeast. The summit of Mount Mitchell is marked by this sign, the viewing platform, the grave of Dr. Elisha Mitchell, and views in all directions. Fog surrounds the spruce-fir forest around the end of the Commissary trail, looking toward the junction with Buncombe Horse Range Trail and the top of Commissary Ridge. Named for the dark spruces and firs that drape the highest mountains, the Black Mountains contain over 20 peaks that surpass 6000'. Although not as long or wide as the nearby Blue Ridge or Great Smoky Mountains ranges, the Black Mountains are indeed the highest. Hiking Trails A variety of hiking trails wind throughout the park and onto surrounding Pisgah National Forest land in the Black Mountains and Toe River area . From the summit parking area, the paved, accessible summit path leads to the observation platform at the peak's highest point.

The Balsam Nature Trail connects to the summit path, combined to make an easy loop in the spruce-fir forest in the highest elevations, and it's a great addition to a summit walk for families. You can also take a longer and more authentic - yet not too difficult - hike to the top of Mt. Mitchell. Starting at the park office, two trails lead further into the park: the easy Commissary trail which goes to Camp Alice, and the Old Mitchell Trail which goes to the summit. From Camp Alice, you can take the Camp Alice trail which goes from there to the summit. The start of the Black Mountains Crest trail passes through a dense spruce-fir forest on an easy route. A loop hike combining these trails is one of the best in Western NC, so we've described it in detail as the Old Mitchell Trail hike on this site. You can also access the Old Mitchell trail closer to the summit from either the park's restaurant or the park's campground. From there, you can connect with all other trails in the park. Looking for a longer, more difficult journey? The Mount Mitchell trail starts at the summit path and descends 3000 ft.

over a course of 5.5 miles to end at the Black Mountain Campground on the Toe River in the valley below. Along the way, it intersects the Buncombe Horse Range Trail mentioned above. Most hikers start at the campground and go up first to reach the summit to experience one of the best hikes in WNC, and that's the Mount Mitchell hike on this site . Another doozy of a trail, the Black Mountain Crest (Deep Gap) trail, leads from the picnic area out along the ridge top, crossing over the second highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains on its way: Mount Craig. Don't let its easy beginning fool you - this trail quickly becomes quite rough as it passes through Deep Gap and onto Pisgah National Forest lands, connecting with several others trails along the way, and then descends the mountain range to end in the valley far below. Finally, the Mountains to Sea Trail follows a route through the park, co-signed along parts of the Buncombe Horse Range, Camp Alice, and Mount Mitchell trails as part of its longer journey from Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey's Ridge on the Outer Banks. This is just an overview of what trails are available.

For details on each individual trail accessible from the park, visit the trails page , or for a more complete guide, see the Best Hikes in Mount Mitchell State Park which use these trails. Amenities Visitors to the park can enjoy several amenities before and after they hike. Park Office Upon entering the park, stop by the park office for information, maps, and restrooms. This is also the starting point for the Camp Alice and Old Mitchell trails. The office is staffed during business hours and they'll be glad to answer any questions you might have about the park, trails, or current conditions. Park Restaurant The Mount Mitchell Restaurant is perched above forest and open fields below. Open from May to October, the restaurant offers great food with an incredible view! Check out the fine selection of Mount Mitchell branded souvenirs as well - even seasoned hikers can hardly resist a little something to show their love and support for the park. While you're parked here, consider a hike after your meal, either up to the summit, down to the park office, or a loop that connects the two. Picnic Area At the summit parking area is a 40 table picnic area with two picnic shelters. Each table has a grill.

Handicapped accessible tables are available as well. Summit Concessions and Gift Shop Also at the summit is a concession stand offering snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Next door to it is the gift shop, where you can get some more of those books and T-shirts. Restrooms are located down the stairs. Park Museum Inside the park museum The park's museum has a great selection of displays featuring the park's natural and human history. Discover some of the geology that went into building the mountain peaks, and get more information on the the unique plant and animal life that lives there. Observation Tower While you're in the summit area, hike the short, paved path to the new observation platform at the very peak, which replaces the old 40' tower which used to stand there. History The mountain, park, and nearby waterfall are named for Dr. Elisha Mitchell (1793 - 1857), a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill. He made several trips to the area over his lifetime to painstakingly measure the mountains' height using barometric altimeters. Over several subsequent brutal excursions up the mountain, he arrived at a final determination of elevation at 6,672 ft.

- a mere 12 feet shy of the actual elevation! The Black Mountains as seen in fall color from the Mount Mitchell overlook. Controversy arose between Dr. Mitchell and others as to which peak in the range was actually the highest, or whether a peak in the Great Smoky Mountains or in the White Mountains in New England was higher. Mitchell died after falling from the top of a 20 foot waterfall while descending the mountain through thickets of trees and rhododendron on a later trip to settle the argument. It is settled today: at 6,684', Mount Mitchell is indeed the highest. By the early 1900s, logging denuded much of the Black Mountain range including the lower slopes of Mount Mitchell. By 1913, citizens began to voice their alarm. On March 3, 1915 Locke Craig, governor of North Carolina from 1913 to 1917, signed a bill establishing Mount Mitchell as the first state park after it quickly passed through the legislature. The second highest peak east of the Mississippi (6,647 ft., one peak north of Mount Mitchell on the Black Mountain range) was named Mount Craig in his honor.

For extensive additional historical information, see the official State Park web site's History page or visit the park museum. Current Conditions Current view from Mount Mitchell. Image may be obstructed by fog, ice, or snow. Provided by Friends of Mount Mitchell State Park in association with North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association. Here's the image from the Mount Mitchell web cam from near the summit, as well as a link to Mount Mitchell current weather information . (Friends of Mount Mitchell State Park in association with North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association). Places to Stay Camping Mount Mitchell Campground A nine (9) site, tent-only campground is located about 2/3 of the way from the Park Office to the summit. At 6200' elevation, this is the highest developed campground in Western NC! The campground offers level tent pads, with fire rings, lantern poles and picnic tables at each. There are some shady sites in the firs and a couple of sunny ones where the trees have died. Water is avalable at several spigots around the campground and restrooms with flush toilets are available. The campground is open from May 1 - October 31 (weather permitting). It will close earlier in October if freezing temperatures arrive.

Thus, reservations are available only until October 15. It is recommended to make a reservation before you go by visiting the NC State Parks page on ReserveAmerica . After October 15, reservations are not available. Any unreserved sites, and all site after October 15 until the campground closes, are available on a first-come basis. If the campground is full, overflow camping is available at one of several nearby campgrounds on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Black Mountain Campground For a lower-elevation camping experience that accommodates RV's, check out the Pisgah National Forests's Black Mountain Campground in the Toe River area at bottom of the mountain. It's connected to the State Park via the Mount Mitchell Trail or by vehicle shuttle on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sites range from $18/night in the summer to $12/night in the winter (with no running water and portable toilets only). This is usually the recommended alternative if the park campground is full. Backcountry Camping No backcountry camping is allowed outside the campground within the state park. However, there are excellent backcountry camping sites on adjoining Pisgah National Forest lands and trails. Two of the most popular are at Comissary Ridge and Deep Gap.

To use one of these sites, make sure you've obtained an overnight parking permit if you're parking inside the State Park. These are available for free at the park office. Lodging Serendipity Cabin Sitting under huge oak tree and across from trout stream in Pisgah National Forest, Serendipity Cabin is a fortunate discovery! We're located at the base of Mt. Mitchell and within walking distance to the Mt. Mitchell Crest trailhead. Fish or go tubing in the South Toe River or play a round of golf at the Mt. Mitchell Country Club. Enjoy a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just 10 minutes away. The perfect combination: isolated but not too far from civilization. Amenities include: a wood fireplace, phone, a/c, satellite TV, VCR, stereo, DVD/CD player, full kitchen, microwave, dishwasher, fridge with ice maker, cooking utensils, W/D, BBQ charcoal grill and Internet Access. News New Summit Observation Tower Completed (January 2009) The iconic tower atop 6,684' Mount Mitchell has been removed and the new observation deck atop 6.684' Mount Mitchell has opened.

It was originally scheduled for completion in 2007, but was finally finished around November 2008. As of January 2009 notices on the Park's web site regarding closures around the construction site were removed, and a visit in February confirms that the summit has reopened. The short, round deck replaces the aging concrete and stone tower which was torn down a couple of years ago to make way for the new structure. Directions From Asheville, take I-240 East to US 74-A East to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Exit right; turn right at the end of the ramp and drive North on the Parkway about 30 miles to NC 128 (there is a large sign for the State Park). Follow NC 128 for about 3 miles to the Park entrance; the summit is another 1.2 miles ahead. Mount Mitchell Mount Mitchell Tweet To see the tallest mountains east of the Mississippi River, you must come to western North Carolina. The highest, Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet, is part of the Black Mountain range.

It was named for Elijah Mitchell, a professor of science at the University of North Carolina, who in 1857 fell to his death on its slopes trying to win his argument with Congressman T. C. Clingman over which of them had ascended and measured the mountain’s true peak. His body was recovered by the famous mountain hunter and guide Big Tom Wilson, and was buried on the summit. In the 20th century, North Carolina tried to preserve the mountain’s environment by turning it into a state park, but its crowning fir forest continues to be ravaged by a deadly combination of air pollution and tree killing insects. Of the ten highest mountains in the eastern United States, six are in the Black Mountain Range of western North Carolina. The most famous of these is Mount Mitchell, which at 6684 feet is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River. History Mount Mitchell is named for Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a science professor at the University of North Carolina. In the mid-1800s, Mitchell made many visits to the Black Mountain Range, using early barometric instruments and mathematical calculations to measure mountain elevations.

He was sure that several peaks in the range were higher than Grandfather Mountain, which at the time was believed to be the tallest in the region. His findings showed one specific peak, modern-day Mount Mitchell, to be the tallest of them all. However, his claim was challenged by North Carolina Congressman Thomas Clingman. He felt the elevations measured by Mitchell were inaccurate and set out to prove it. The two men, once friends, became bitter enemies, as each tried to discredit the integrity of the other. The feud came to a tragic end in 1857 when Mitchell, on an expedition to verify earlier elevation measurements, fell to his death from a waterfall. With some remorse, and acknowledging the enormous contributions Elisha Mitchell had made to the region, Clingman ceased his attack on Mitchell’s claims. Subsequently, the tallest peak was named for Dr. Mitchell. In 1915 it became the centerpiece within North Carolina’s first state park. The Natural Environment One hundred and fifty years ago the landscape of the Black Mountain Range was dominated by red spruce, fraser firs, and towering first-growth hardwoods trees such as American chestnut, hickory, and oak.

Present-day visitors to Mount Mitchell will find a much different environment. Early in the 20th century, industrial logging and the chestnut blight combined to destroy millions of acres of forests in the Appalachian Mountains. In the 1950s, tree-killing adelgids from central Europe found their way to the region, and most of the native firs along the highest peaks died as a result. Today, air pollution and acid-laden rain pose a new threat to Mount Mitchell and the surrounding mountains. A rich diversity of plants and animals continue to live in Mount Mitchell State Park. Now protected by law, many species of trees like yellow birch and mountain maple have filled the gaps created by the loss of the others. During warm months, native plants like blueberry, honeysuckle, and raspberry fill the air with their fragrance. Close to one hundred species of birds live in the region, and peregrine falcons are frequently observed from atop the lookout tower on Mount Mitchell. Also present are black bears, white-tailed deer, and striped skunks living alongside bobcats, flying squirrels and gray foxes. Folklore Many books are available that provide wonderful, detailed narratives of the history of Mount Mitchell and the surrounding area.

Especially interesting are the stories about Elisha Mitchell, Thomas Clingman, and Big Tom Wilson. Wilson was a famous mountain hunter and guide who was born in the shadow of the Black Mountains. It was claimed that Wilson, a natural storyteller, could begin one of his yarns early on the morning trail and still be talking when his party reached a peak at midday. When Elisha Mitchell suffered his fatal fall it was Big Tom who led the expedition that eventually found his lifeless body at the base of a large waterfall. Upon the gruesome discovery Wilson sadly commented, “Here he is, poor old fellow.” Several environmental histories of Mount Mitchell describe its origin and detail the recent effects of man’s presence, as do a number of websites. Going There Mount Mitchell and Mount Mitchell State Park are located about 35 miles east of Asheville, NC. Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, the scenic drive takes about an hour. Like many Appalachian peaks, the summit of Mount Mitchell is often shrouded by clouds and mist. For best results, check local conditions for a clear day for your visit. The weather can be unpredictable and changes quickly, so dress in layers and bring along rain gear.

If hiking is planned, additional water and food are important considerations. The wondrous Appalachian Mountains have provided a sense of awe and a reservoir of folklore for many generations. While recent environmental setbacks should be a concern to everyone, they should also stimulate local residents and visitors alike to work for solutions to preserve the proud heritage of one of Appalachia’s most spectacular natural gifts, Mount Mitchell. This essay is based primarily on information found on the websites of romanticasheville.com and ncnatural.com. – and in the books by Kent Schwarzkopf and Timothy Silver [see below]. For more information please see: A History of Mt. Mitchell and the Black Mountains by S. Kent Schwarzkopf Cabins in the Laurel by Muriel Earley Sheppard. Mount Mitchell & the Black Mountains: An Environmental History of the Highest Peaks in Eastern America by Timothy Silver. Online Resources: Mount Mitchell State Park | NCpedia Mount Mitchell State Park See also: Exploring North Carolina: North Carolina State Parks, Trails, Lakes, Rivers & Natural Areas Park History More than a billion years ago, the Black Mountains were formed. This mighty range of peaks once stood lofty and rugged.

But over millions of years, wind, water and other forces wore down the pinnacles to their rounded, more subdued profile of today. Only the erosion-resistant igneous and metamorphic rocks allowed Mount Mitchell to retain its dramatic height of 6,684 feet. Because of the even elevation of its ridgeline, the Black Mountain range was referred to as a single mountain until the late 1850s. Of the separate peaks that have since been designated, six are among the 10 highest in the eastern United States. Although the Black Mountain range is higher, its length and breadth do not equal that of the Blue Ridge or Great Smoky mountains . The climate of the Black Mountains is more like that of Canada than North Carolina. Extremely cold temperatures during the Pleistocene Era allowed the plants and animals of more northern latitudes to extend their ranges to the south, but as warmer climates returned, these cold-adapted species became restricted to the highest peaks. Many of the plants and animals of Mount Mitchell are like those native to more northern alpine environments. Long before explorers left Europe in search of the New World, various Native American tribes inhabited the area surrounding the Black Mountains.

In the mid-1700s, the tribes were joined by settlers primarily of Scotch-Irish and English origin. In 1787, French botanist Andre Michaux journeyed to the Black Mountains to seek the region's most valuable plants so the French government could cultivate them on their royal plantations. On his botanical excursions to the area, Michaux collected more than 2,500 specimens of trees, shrubs and other plants. About the same time that his French counterpart explored the area, Englishman John Fraser collected plants from the region to introduce to his native land. It was for this botanical explorer that the most abundant tree along the crest of the Black Mountains—the Fraser fir —was named. Though botany was the first discipline to be explored in the Black Mountains, it was physical geography , particularly the measuring of mountains, that had the greatest impact on the history of Mount Mitchell. In 1835, Dr. Elisha Mitchell , a science professor at the University of North Carolina, made an excursion to the area to measure the mountain elevations.

At the time, Grandfather Mountain was assumed to be the highest point in the region, but previous trips to the area had persuaded Mitchell that the Black Mountains were higher. Through the use of barometric pressure readings and mathematical formulas, Mitchell figured the highest elevation of the range to be 6,476 feet, higher than that of Grandfather Mountain . Subsequent visits to the Black Mountains in 1838 and 1844 led Dr. Mitchell to calculate the height of the peak at 6,672 feet—amazingly, only a mere 12 feet in error of modern calculations. In the 1850s, controversy arose about which peak in the range was the highest. Thomas Clingman , Dr. Mitchell's former student and a United States senator, set the elevation of the highest peak at 6,941 feet and insisted Mitchell had measured another peak. In 1857, Dr. Mitchell returned to the Black Mountains to verify his measurements and to support his claim. While hiking across the mountain, he fell from a cliff above a 40-foot waterfall. Knocked unconscious by the fall, Dr. Mitchell drowned in the water below.

In honor of his work, the highest peak in the Black Mountain range was given his name in 1858. Though originally buried in Asheville, Mitchell's body was reburied atop Mount Mitchell a year later. Until the late 1800s, the Black Mountains remained largely in a wilderness state. The only apparent influence of man upon the environment was a reduced animal population caused by increased settlement and hunting. This lack of exploitation of natural resources was not to last, however. By the early 1900s, extensive logging operations had denuded much of the Black Mountain range. Logging activity had expanded rapidly by 1913 and citizens began to voice their alarm about the destruction of the forest. Foremost among them was Locke Craig , governor of North Carolina from 1913 to 1917. In 1915, a bill was introduced in the state legislature establishing Mount Mitchell as the first state park. The legislation passed both houses quickly and on March 3, 1915, North Carolina had created its first state park.

In appreciation of Governor Craig's efforts, the second highest peak east of the Mississippi, with an elevation of 6,647 feet, was named Mount Craig. Park Ecology When Andre Michaux and Elisha Mitchell explored the Black Mountains in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, they documented forests with an extraordinary variety of plant species. Red spruce covered the upper slopes, and Fraser fir dominated the peaks above 6,000 feet. Hardwood forests, including majestic stands of American chestnut, oaks, and hickories, populated the slopes below 5,000 feet, and rhododendron thickets cloaked forest streams. These forests have long been affected and shaped by a variety of natural factors, including wind, ice, snow, drought, and infrequent lightning-caused fires. But unrestrained logging, huge fires in the logging slash, and chestnut blight brought drastic changes to the forests throughout the Black Mountains in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These impacts were followed in the 1950s by the arrival of the balsam woolly adelgid, an insect pest native to central Europe.

The adelgids infested and killed large numbers of the Fraser firs, permanently altering the forest ecology in the highest elevations of the Black Mountains. Today, scientists have determined that air pollution and acid-laden precipitation are also contributing to the long term decline of Mount Mitchell's spruce-fir forests. In fact, on eight out of ten days, Mount Mitchell is covered in clouds and fog that are sometimes as acidic as vinegar. Faced with a combination of stresses, the forests of the Black Mountains have been irreparably altered. The forests we see today are quite different from those documented by Mitchell and Michaux; but in spite of the losses suffered over the last century, the flora of Mount Mitchell remains among the most distinctive and diverse in the Southern Appalachians. The park protects the most extensive assortment of rare plant and animal species in the state park system, and the spruce-fir forests, while greatly diminished, are still present. Red spruce, fire cherry, yellow birch, mountain ash, and mountain maple have filled gaps opened by the loss of Fraser fir, and other native plant species such as blueberry, mountain raspberry, red elder, and bush honeysuckle produce beautiful blossoms and lend fragrance to the air.

Wildflowers, including ox-eye daisy, white snakeroot, purple-fringed orchid, St. John's wort and pink turtlehead color the landscape. Like the flora, the fauna of Mount Mitchell is abundant and diverse. Bird watchers have recorded 91 species in the park. Birds more characteristic of New England and Canada—including winter wrens, slate-colored juncos, red crossbills and golden-crowned kinglets—nest at these high altitudes. Spring and summer bring the drumming of ruffed grouse. From the observation tower, visitors can often see peregrine falcons whipping past. Lucky visitors might also catch a glimpse of a northern flying squirrel or hear the call of the saw-whet owl. White-tailed deer, black bear and striped skunk are at home here as well, and at night a bobcat or gray fox might be seen. Average: 3 (2 votes) Rate References: North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. Mt. Mitchell State Park. (accessed December 8, 2015). Additional Resources: Resources on Mt. Mitchell, Internet Archive, (accessed December 11, 2015).

Schwarzkopf, S. Kent. 1985. A history of Mt. Mitchell and the Black Mountains: exploration, development, and preservation. Raleigh: Division of Archives and History, North Carolina Dept. of Cultural Resources. North Carolina. 1965. Dr. Elisha Mitchell and the measuring of Mt. Mitchell. [Raleigh, N.C.]: Travel and Promotion Division, Dept. of Conservation and Development. Images of Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina Digital Collections, (accessed December 11, 2015).

Question: Mount Mitchell is the highest peak of which American mountain range?
Answer: Appalachian Mountains