North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association & Friends of Mount Mitchell State Park

All are invited to join the High Peaks Birders for a birding stroll at Crabtree Falls on Wednesday, July 12th at 8:30 am.  The outing is open to anyone interested in learning about birds and will be led by experienced birders who will be happy to help any novices that want to give it a try.   A nice diversity of birds occur here and we will be identifying birds by their visual characteristics and their diagnostic songs.

Experienced, fit hikers are invited to join N.C. High Peaks for a challenging hike over Blackstock Knob near Mt. Mitchell on Friday, July 7. This high-elevation jaunt should provide an escape from hot summer temperatures, along with wonderful views.

The 5-mile hike will start at NC 128 and end at Walker Knob Overlook, traveling along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It includes a climb and descent of about 1,000 feet over a rough trail with challenging stone steps.

All are invited to join the High Peaks Birders for a birding stroll at Cane River Park on Saturday, June 24.

The outing is open to any interested parties and will be led by experienced birders who will be happy to help any novices that want to give it a try.

Meet at 8 a.m. at the parking lot nearest the softball fields, which is the first entrance off Whittington Road.

Experienced, fit hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a rigorous, 9-mile hike on the flanks of the Black Mountains on Saturday, June 17.

The hike will make a loop of the Bald Knob Ridge and Buncombe Horse Range Trails, and will feature a challenging climb of about 1,700 feet in elevation. Hikers will be treated to views of the rich cove hardwood forest near the headwaters of the South Toe River, along with the high-elevation Spruce/Fir habitat that thrives on the upper reaches of the Blacks.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a strenuous hike over a spectacular section of the Appalachian Trail between Carvers Gap and Yellow Mountain on Friday, June 2.

This 7-mile outing is only for fit, experienced hikers. The route traverses Jane’s Bald near Carver’s Gap, and the group will take a side trip to Grassy Ridge Bald to enjoy the stunning views.

An effort to help save one of the Appalachian high country’s most iconic – and at-risk - tree species kicked off May 17 at Mt. Mitchell State Park when two dozen volunteers joined land-use agency staff to plant 300 red spruce seedlings on a wind-swept slope where the trees once towered and thrived.

Join the High Peaks Birders for a birding stroll on Thursday, May 18th at 8:30 am.  We will hike a portion of Forest Road 472 and the Mountains-to-Seas Trail as we look and listen for birds.  This area is located about 0.5 miles east (before) the Mt. Mitchell Trailhead and the Black Mountain Campground.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!  NC High Peaks has partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Mount Mitchell State Park to plant 250 small red spruce saplings near Camp Alice on Wednesday, May 17.  To accomplish this, all three organizations are recruiting volunteers.  NC High Peaks would like to provide 15 volunteers to this effort.  Please volunteer if you can… many hands make less work!

The N.C. High Peaks Trail Association will lead hikers into the historic abandoned community of
Lost Cove on Friday, May 5. Settled during or shortly after the Civil War, Lost Cove is nestled
above the Nolichucky River, and can only be reached on foot.

This very strenuous hike of about 7.5 miles will descend about 1,200 feet in elevation to visit the
Lost Cove ruins, buildings and cemetery, followed by a 1,200-foot climb back to our starting
point.  Only experienced hikers in good condition should attempt this hike.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Thursday, May 4 for a fun and educational trip to the Ray Mine, an outing that will be led by retired Geology Professor Bill Miller. The mica mine was operated on-and-off from 1867 until the 1940s.