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

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.

Join Southeastern Trust for Parks & Land Board Director Aimee Tomcho for an easy Earth Day Sunday stroll to identify spring’s earliest songbirds. We will visit the Golden-winged Warbler habitat restoration area to learn about the work the Trust is doing to help save this imperiled species. We are sure to see a diversity of wildflowers too. Binoculars nor expertise required to attend! The walk will have a slow pace on a wooded trail with relatively flat terrain and will last approximately 2 hours.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a moderate hike of about 2 miles on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail on Saturday, April 15. The jaunt will go from the Singecat Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway over the top of the Twin Tunnels, ending at Buck Creek Gap and Highway 80.

This hike features nice views and perhaps some early-blooming Spring flowers. There are no severe climbs and the elevation change is just a few hundred feet, so the outing is rated as moderate.

POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER UNTIL A LATER DATE

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, April 8.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a moderate, fun hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail on Saturday, March 25. Hikers may see a few early wildflowers as this section traverses a rich cove mountainside near the Blue Ridge Parkway between Buck Creek Gap and Neals Creek Road.

The 4-mile hike is rated as moderate, with a steady climb of a few hundred feet to get started, then a long stretch on a contour leading down to Neals Creek.