Asheville, NC: Mount Mitchell via Black Mountain Crest Trail

Renowned as the most rugged trail in the East, this ridge-top 11-miler climbs to a parade of increasingly breathtaking panoramas before leading to the legendary Mount Mitchell. Fill up water bottles at the deliciously cool Bowlens Creek (the only reliable source until Deep Gap, mile 7.3) and head south to get started. The bulk of the route’s elevation gain occurs in the beginning, with over 3,000 feet of vertical crammed into the first four miles. After cresting your first 6,000-foot peak (Celo Knob, 6,585 feet), you’ll hover between 5,000 and 6,000 feet for the remainder of the trip.
Enjoy sprawling ridgeline vistas as you pass Horse Rock, Gibbs Mountain and Winter Star en route to Deep Gap, the only spot along the route where camping is permitted. Use the short but steep side trail (yellow-blazed Colbert Creek Trail) to fill up on water before taking on the nasty climb to Potato Hill and Cattail Peak. The thigh-searing ascent rewards with additional panoramas from openings above the lush woodland.
Continue past Balsam Cone and Big Tom before cresting Mount Craig, the final hurdle before Mount Mitchell. Craig marks the end of the Black Crest Trail and the start of the Mount Mitchell Trail. Expect a bump in crowds as you hit the parking lot prior to trekking the last 0.2 mile to Mount Mitchell’s 6,686-foot summit. Climb the observation tower for limitless vistas of the idyllic hill country below before turning around for a quick backtrack to your car in the parking lot.
Notes: This is a shuttle hike, and parking is available at both the Mount Mitchell and Bolens Creek trailheads. Camping is also available at the Bolens Creek trailhead. 

-Mapped by Peter Shellabarger

Trail Facts

• Distance: 18.0

Waypoints

BMC001

Location: 35.877228, -82.284709

Turn left on Water Shed Road to head toward the trailhead.

BMC002

Location: 35.874017, -82.282221

Leave your car in the lot at the Bolens Creek Trailhead and head southeast to get started.
The trail is easy to follow, but devoid of blazes.

BMC003

Location: 35.85825, -82.257352

Seasonal water source located here.

BMC004

Location: 35.855474, -82.251742

Bushwhack your way to the top of Celo Knob (6,585 feet), the first of the hike’s numerous 6,000-foot summits.

BMC005

Location: 35.847839, -82.247386

The trail swings just west of Horse Rock (6,211 feet). Take a side-trip to the top for another high-country vantage point.

BMC006

Location: 35.840777, -82.248201

Pass Gibbs Mountain (6,198 feet), another quick side-trip away.

BMC007

Location: 35.817465, -82.249274

The trail crosses Winter Star (6,188 feet). A small side trail to the east leads to a USGS marker denoting the summit.

BMC008

Location: 35.816143, -82.251377

Deer Mountain, just below Winter Star at 6,076 feet, is visible to the east of the trail.

BMC009

Location: 35.812388, -82.252054

Deep Gap is the only site along the trail where camping is permitted. It also marks the junction with the yellow-blazed Colbert Creek Trail, which forks east to a water source 0.2 miles below. The trail is steep and primitive. After filling up, take on a strenuous climb from Deep Gap to Potato Hill.

BMC010

Location: 35.813637, -82.247944

Water source off the Colbert Creek Trail.

BMC011

Location: 35.801482, -82.253114

Savor gorgeous vistas from Potato Hill (6,317 feet) after the grueling climb from Deep Gap.

BMC012

Location: 35.797339, -82.257067

Reach Cattail Peak (6,516 feet) and cross into Mount Mitchell State Park.

BMC013

Location: 35.789561, -82.255956

Cross over Balsam Cone (6,585 feet), the route’s 7th peak above 6,000 feet.

BMC014

Location: 35.779839, -82.259845

Roll over Big Tom (6,585 feet) before peaking Mount Craig, which looms less than 0.5 mile to the south.

BMC015

Location: 35.777617, -82.261789

Ascend Mount Craig (6,637 feet), the final peak before Mount Mitchell. Enjoy the magnificent views of Mitchell to the south before beginning the hike’s home stretch.

BMC016

Location: 35.767607, -82.264537

The Black Crest Trail ends here, yielding to the Mount Mitchell Trail. From here, the hike’s final summit sits just 0.2 mile away.

BMC017

Location: 35.764839, -82.26512

At 6,686 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River.

Water Shed Road

Location: 35.877159, -82.283907

Turn left at the inconspicuous Water Shed Road to head toward the trailhead.

Water Source

Location: 35.858344, -82.257557

Seasonal water source located here.

Black Mountains

Location: 35.851109, -82.249575

Gain sweeping panoramas of the Black Mountains from Celo Knob.

Potato Hill Panoramas

Location: 35.803196, -82.252579

Notch breath-taking vistas of the valley below Deep Gap from Potato Hill.

Vertical Trail

Location: 35.784886, -82.258501

The trail ascends upward at a sharp grade as you push toward Mount Craig.

Mount Mitchell Panorama

Location: 35.764552, -82.264423

Hey, did you know that Mount Mitchell was the highest point east of the Mississippi?