Mount Mitchell is one of my favorite places to go and explore. With the highest elevation in the East, the lookout tower provides some extraordinary views of the surrounding area that spans four states. Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, it's a popular tourist destination with a parking lot located a mere half mile from the summit.
Unfortunately, this summer the Parkway was closed between Asheville and Mount Mitchell State Park because of a large crack in the road. They've now made a temporary patch so people can drive it, so I expect to explore this area more as the fall season comes upon us.
Directions to Trailhead: Mount Mitchell is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway between mile markers 355 and 356. Green Knob Fire Tower is near mile marker 350 and can be gotten to by parking in the Green Knob overlook parking lot and walking north on the Parkway for 100 yards. Look on the left for an unmarked trail. | Suggested Map:  National Geographic Map #779 Linville Gorge/Mount Mitchell |
June 2013
When family or friends come to visit and we only have one day to show them the awesome mountains of North Carolina, we typically take them to either Fryingpan Mountain Fire Tower or Mount Mitchell State Park. So in June when Jill's family came to visit, we decided to go to MMSP. This was their first time driving along the Parkway and it was just as exciting for them as it was for us. For those looking for a simple trip with little "hiking" but tons of views, this is a great option.
    |  Zoom in on Glassmine Falls   Stone observation tower constructed in 2009  |
September 2013
This was a pup and I trip that we took one early one morning. My goal was to find blueberries, but instead found a ton of ripe red raspberries. YUM! They were big and plentiful along a dirt road that juts away from the State Park Visitor Center. Green Knob fire tower is located just 5 north of MMSP and provides awesome views of the area. Unfortunately, the Forest Service has limited access to the cab by locking it, which is too bad because it was a nice place to camp for the evening. Anyway, this was a great trip, the pup and I found an unmarked trail that we explored and found an awesome rock outcropping. All in all, it was another great adventure!
 Dense fog heading toward Mount Mithcell   View from random trail between Mount Mitchell and Green Knob  |  A view of Mount Mitchell ridge from Green Knob Fire Tower  Green Knob Fire Tower    |
