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

No Experience Necessary: Trail Maintainers Go Out for Fun

By Mike Williams

High Peaks and CMC Trail Crew Member

 

Retired attorney Bob Widman didn’t know a hazel hoe from a Pulaski several years ago when he started volunteering as a part of a weekly trail maintenance crew that helps keep Western North Carolina’s hiking trails open.

Now he’s an old hand at building steps, clearing water drains, trimming back thick vegetation and helping clear fallen trees blocking the trail.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a moderate 2-mile hike along the spine of the Black Mountains from Mt. Mitchell to Big Tom and return on Friday, Sept. 9.

The hike will offer stunning views and perhaps some early fall colors from the tallest mountain chain in the Eastern U.S. Although rated as moderate because there is little elevation change, the trail is rugged, with a steep stone staircase and several scrambles over steep rock faces that can be very slick if wet. 

Fit, experienced hikers are invited to join NC High Peaks for a challenging loop hike around the summit of Mt. Mitchell on Friday, Sept. 2.

Hikers will proceed north on the Crest Trail from the Mt. Mitchell summit over Mt. Craig and Big Tom, then go down a connector trail to the Buncombe Horse Range Trail, returning to the summit on the Mt. Mitchell Trail. The hike covers four of the trail sections needed for the High Peaks Black Mountains Hiking Challenge.

Experienced, fit hikers are invited to join High Peaks on Friday, August 12 for a trek on the Big Butt Trail from Walker Knob Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Cane River Gap.

This 5.6-mile trek is rated as very strenuous and should not be attempted by novices. The route descends about 1,500 feet, but also has a few significant climbs, including a long stairway up Little Butt, which rewards climbers with a spectacular view of the Black Mountains. Hikers will also be given the option of a short side-trip to the Big Butt summit. 

BURNSVILLE, N.C. – A new 339.5-mile hiking loop, which begins and ends in downtown Burnsville, is the subject of a community meeting on Thursday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Yancey County Public Library.

Jake Blood and Jennifer Pharr Davis, co-creators of the Appalachian High Route, will answer questions and provide information about this initiative to attract hikers to the area. 

In conjunction with the Forest Service and The Blue Ridge Parkway Rangers' Office,  NC High Peaks will be hosting an "Open House" at The Green Knob Fire Tower, Mile Marker 350.4 on Friday, July 15th, from @1:00-4:00PM, weather permitting.  The Fire Tower was constructed in 1931 and was in operation until the late 70's. 

Attention bird lovers: join the High Peaks Birders for a fun evening bird stroll at Cane River Park, 258 Whittington Road, Burnsville!

Join NC High Peaks for a pleasant stroll to the Blue Ridge Pinnacle with an optional extra excursion to the Green Knob Fire Lookout on Friday, July 15.

Experienced hikers are invited to join N.C. High Peaks for a challenging hike over Blackstock Knob near Mt. Mitchell on Friday, July 1. 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. Only experienced, fit hikers should attend. 

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a stroll at the Roan Mountain Rhododendron Garden on Thursday, June 9, with an optional easy hike to the Roan High Bluff. The mountain’s annual rhododendron display should be near its peak, so the colors should be spectacular.

Meet at the corner of the Rose’s Shopping Center Parking Lot overlooking Highway 19-E at 9:00 a.m. and the group will carpool to Roan Mountain from there.

Bring lunch, snacks, water, rain gear and warm clothes depending on the weather and hiking poles if you use them.