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| Mount Mitchell State Park © Katrena |
Mount Mitchell State Park boasts the tallest peak east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet above sea level. Our Canadian friends would probably particularly like this state park because the weather and ecosystem resembles that of Canada. Six of the peaks in the Black Mountain range are among the highest top ten peaks east of the Mississippi.
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| Butterflies Galore on the Road to Mount Mitchell © Katrena |
We visited Mount Mitchell in late July 2019, and I think we saw a million butterflies along the sides of the road. I think every thistle had a butterfly perched upon its bloom. These red flowers attracted lots of butterflies too. They were beautiful!
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| Summit Trail at Mount Mitchell © Katrena |
I had not visited Mount Mitchell for years, but I remember how almost all of the trees near the peak were dead. After looking at the fact sheet on the NC State Parks web site, I discovered that the balsam woolly adelgid had infested and killed a large number of Fraser firs in the 1950s. I was pleasantly surprised to see that many areas of Mount Mitchell are now green again.
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| Mount Mitchell Welcome Center © Katrena |
We drove to the welcome center and hiked the 280-yard paved Summit Trail. It is rare to see a paved hiking trail, particularly one that reaches the peak of a mountain. The trail was well maintained and short but fairly steep.
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| Wildflowers at Mount Mitchell State Park © Katrena |
We saw a wide variety of flowers, butterflies, bees, and a few berries on the trail. I later saw on the brochure that visitors are allowed to pick and eat a few berries. I'm going to have to apologize to my daughter who loves raspberries.
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| Hiking Trails at Mount Mitchell State Park © Katrena |
Several other hikers were on the trail. We were fortunate to arrive when we did because a thunderstorm was making its way toward us. Mount Mitchell is often covered with clouds. I believe the other times I had visited Mount Mitchell, the view was blocked by fog-like clouds.
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| Mount Mitchell State Park Observation Tower © Katrena |
The observation tower has a sloping ramp to get to the top. On a clear day, the view from this point may reach 85 miles.
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| Black Mountain Range Peaks Seen from Mount Mitchell © Abigail |
There were several signs that named the various peaks of the Black Mountain range that one can see when facing each direction.
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| Grave Marker for Dr. Elisha Mitchell at Mount Mitchell © Katrena |
At the base of the observation deck is the grave of Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a science professor who worked many years to gather information that he felt would prove that this mountain peak was the highest in the area. He fell and died while exploring this rugged mountain that was named for him.
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| North Carolina State Parks Passport Program © Katrena |
My family has a state parks passport book, and we get it stamped at the various locations we have visited within the North Carolina state park system. This location also qualifies for the mountains to sea stamp.
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| North Carolina State Parks Mountains to Sea Hiking Trails © Katrena |
If you or someone you love is prone to motion sickness, be aware that roads leading to Mount Mitchell are winding mountainous roads. They curve back and forth along the terrain. Some people find it helpful to watch the road while riding; others find sea bands, going very light on any meal before the trip, or medications to be helpful. You might want to pack a bag or bucket...just to be on the safe side.
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| Mount Mitchell is Getting Its Green Back! © Abigail |
Learn more about Mount Mitchell at the
NC State Parks web site. Thanks for visiting my Travel NC With Kids blog! Check out some of my other articles below:
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