Black Mountain Crest

Black Mountain Crest (“Black Mountain Crest Trail”) is a shuttle-style, long-distance ridgeline hike in the high country around Mount Mitchell State Park, rated hard due to sustained climbing/descending and technical tread. Plan for an all-day effort; one-way hike time is commonly listed around 10 hours plus, and the overall trail length is about 12 miles with roughly 3,485 feet of total elevation change.

The route follows the spine of the Black Mountains and spends much of its time above 6,000 feet. Expect a rocky, eroded footpath with frequent scrambling sections; some steep stretches call for hand-and-foot moves and occasional rope assistance in the steeper/rougher spots.

Access is point-to-point between Watershed Rd (private property; trail begins near a Forest Service gate and may require vehicle drop-off for lower-clearance vehicles) and Mt. Mitchell State Park. The north access area is on Bowlens Creek Road (near Watershed Road); the south end ties into the Mount Mitchell State Park side where the route is blazed with orange triangles/markers.

On-trail camping is limited: possible camping is near Deep Gap, with camping restrictions tied to the state park section. Water is limited and near the ridge it can be scarce; the route also notes limited water availability overall, with Deep Gap identified as a practical place to focus for water access and camping.

Terrain is directional and location-dependent: the southern half (Mount Mitchell to Deep Gap) is within Mount Mitchell State Park and is described as rugged and rocky, while the northern section (Deep Gap to Bowlens Creek) is described as tough and maintained with reroutes around more treacherous areas at times.

The route crosses multiple 6,000-plus-foot peaks along the Mt. Mitchell ridge, including Big Tom, Mount Craig, and finally Mount Mitchell at the south end. The highest-crest portions are exposed and weather can change quickly at high elevation, with the trail character emphasizing steepness and loose/rocky tread over long cruising miles.

More information: Visitor information, Black Mountain Crest Trail - TEHCC Wiki, Black Mountain Crest Trail to Mt. Mitchell - Burnsville, NC — hike more...