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

Join NC High Peaks for a fun day at Mt. Mitchell State Park on Saturday August 17.  The day will begin with a stroll around the Balsam Nature Trail, a 3/4 mile trail with interpretive signs.  While rated as relatively easy the trail is uneven with tripping hazards so hikers may want to use hiking poles.  The hike will also take us to the summit of Mount Mitchell for 360-degree views from the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. After the hike we will adjourn to the newly reopened Mt. Mitchell Restaurant for lunch.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a strenuous loop hike around the tallest mountain in the Eastern U.S. - Mt. Mitchell - on Friday, Aug. 9.

This challenging, 6-mile outing includes some steep sections with fixed ropes to help hikers go down rock faces. The footing is very rough and if wet can be extremely slick, so this hike is only for experienced, fit hikers.

Take a break from the summer heat by joining High Peaks for a pleasant loop hike on the trails of Mt. Mitchell State Park on Saturday, July 20. Temperatures on the highest peak in the Eastern U.S. are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in the surrounding valleys.

Meet in the parking lot of the restaurant at 8:30 a.m. Bring water, snacks, hiking poles if you use them and rain gear if the weather forecast warrants.

Join the High Peaks Birding Club for a bird stroll along the lovely Commissary Ridge trail at Mt. Mitchell on Wednesday, July 17th at 8:30 am.  

Meet Debbie Segal at the Ranger's Station at Mt. Mitchell State Park, located on FR 128.  This will be the first building and parking lot on the right after turning off the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Exceptionally fit and very experienced hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Friday, July 5 for a very challenging hike on the Black Mountain Crest Trail. The 11-mile jaunt will offer spectacular views from Yancey’s signature mountain chain.

Fit, experienced hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Saturday, June 15 for a strenuous hike along the Appalachian Trail at Firescald, a rocky ridgeline that offers dramatic views.

Join the High Peaks Birders for a stroll on the Commissary Ridge Trail at Mt. Mitchell State Park on Friday, May 31. 

We will follow the gradually-sloping gravel road in search of high elevation birds such as the  red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, hermit thrush, veery, golden-crowned kinglet, winter wren, chestnut-sided warbler, Canada warbler, black-throated green warbler, and others.  We may even spot a rare merlin or red crossbill.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a fun hike on the Appalachian Trail on Saturday, May 18. This out-and-back adventure will start at Sam’s Gap and climb to Street Gap, for a total distance of about 5 miles. The hike has several steep climbs and an overall elevation gain of 500 feet, so it is rated as moderately difficult.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Friday, May 3 for a moderate hike at Bailey Mountain, a popular Madison County hiking destination.

The four-mile jaunt will include an elevation gain of 1,200 feet, so hikers should be in good physical condition.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a moderate-to-strenuous hike to picturesque Roaring Fork Falls on Saturday, April 20. 

The 4-mile outing includes a fairly steep climb during the first mile, so is probably not appropriate for the out-of-shape or beginners. 

Meet at the Roaring Fork Falls parking area just off South Toe River Road at 9 a.m. The group will carpool to the nearby trailhead which is on Private Property with very limited parking.