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

Fit hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a five-mile tour of Bailey Mountain near Mars Hill on Saturday, Dec. 14. The hike offers views of the Smith Farm and the town of Mars Hill and its University.

The outing is rated as moderately strenuous, so hikers need to have their “trail legs” and be in decent shape.

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the NC High Peaks’ Board Meeting, the Officers for 2024/2025 were selected by the Board Of Directors who were voted on by membership in October. The Officers are named in the attached photos.

Experienced, fit hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association hike to Grandfather Mountain - also known as Calloway Peak - on Friday, Dec. 6.

This is a tough out-and-back loop hike that covers 8 miles along the Tanawha, Daniel Boone Scout and Cragway Trails. There is some scrambling on rock faces as well as traversing three ladders bolted to steep faces, so this hike is not for those afraid of heights and not suited for dogs.

Fit, experienced hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Friday, Oct. 4 for a challenging but rewarding out-and-back hike from Yellow Mountain Gap to Big Hump Mountain. This grassy-bald peak offers tremendous, 360-degree views, and fall colors should be at their peak.

The hike is 8.6 miles overall, including a section on the historic Overmountain Victory Trail - trod by Revolutionary War troops in the 1700s - but also includes several steep ascents and some rugged sections. Only the sure-footed and fit should participate.

Mt. Mitchell State Park will be closing Wednesday Evening (9/25) until at least Sunday due to expected heavy rains and high winds from Helene.

2025 NCHP Board of Director Candidates

The 2025 Nominating Committee would like to formally present the following slate of candidates for
Board review. We request the following four candidates be included in the elections to
be held during the NCHP Annual Meeting, which has been indefinitely postponed from October 5, 2024  

Nominating Committee: Buzz Kaas – Chair, Jayne Carbone, John Evans

Please join us on Saturday, October 5 at 10 am in the Burnsville Town Center for our Annual Meeting. Our keynote speaker will be Frances Figart, Creative Services Director for Smokies Life.

Join High Peaks on an easy/moderate hike to the summit of Craggy Pinnacle at Craggy Gardens on Sat., Sept. 21.

This 1.5 mile hike tops out at an elevation of 5,892 feet, offering tremendous, 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with fall color scheduled to be making its entrance to the area.

Hawk Watch at Mt. Mitchell;  September 21, 22, 23; 10am to 3pm. Meet at the Mt. Mitchell Summit Observation platform.

Mid to late September is the prime time for migrating raptors such as peregrine falcons, merlins, kestrels, sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, bald eagles, ospreys, broad-winged hawks, red-tailed hawks, and red-shouldered hawk, to be seen flying south over the mountains. 

Fit, experienced hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a challenging 12-mile hike on the Buncombe Horse Range Trail on Friday, Sept. 6. The outing should offer nice views of the Toe River Valley from Maple Camp Bald.

Hikers should meet at the Buncombe Horse Trail-head off Colbert Creek Road at 8:30 a.m. We’ll take a Yancey Transportation van, $5 per person, up to NC 128 near Mt. Mitchell for the start of the hike.