At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. And when you stand atop the observation deck to take in the awe-inspiring views, it truly feels like you are on top of the world. I was able to make the trip to Mount Mitchell State Park this past weekend for the first time and the top-of-the-world feeling, along with the cinematic views, hiking trails, and endless photographic opportunities have me eager to go back. This state park is one of North Carolina’s best for adventurers and photographers alike.

One of the things that make Mount Mitchell so great is its uniqueness. While it is unique in a variety of ways, they all stem from the same source: the elevation of the mountain. Travel a mile up towards the sky, plus another 1,400 feet, and you will undoubtedly encounter some unique features. The first is the weather, and any traveler to the mountain must be aware of this before making the trip. The temperature is always much, much cooler than it is from off the mountain, often 30 degrees cooler from North Carolina Piedmont temperatures. Then you must factor in the wind chill as well, since the wind is always blowing at the top, and it can get even colder. Even in the summertime a light jacket can be necessary. For months past October, it is cold enough to keep most visitors away, which is why the park only allows camping from May-October.

Visitors to the mountain must also keep in mind the thin air, especially if you plan on hiking. After parking the car and walking the very short distance up to the observation deck, I found myself breathing a little heavy. It doesn’t take much at all for you to feel like you’ve got a decent cardiovascular workout in. If you do plan on hiking, I would recommend going at a slower pace so you won’t get winded as quickly; this also allows you to take in all the beautiful scenery as well, which is a must for guests to the park.

Another thing that makes Mount Mitchell unique is the ecology. Many trees, plants, and animal species that are found in the park, especially at the top of the mountain, are characteristic of the New England region of the United States and Canada. This is because these plants and animals are receptive to colder environments such as those in Canada, or in this case, the highly elevated Mount Mitchell. Fraser firs, red spruces, mountain ash, and mountain maple are among the types of trees visitors can see throughout the park. Plants include red elder, bush honeysuckle, wildflowers, white snakeroot, purple orchids, pink turtleheads, and many others. And when it comes to animals the park doesn’t disappoint either. White-tailed deer, black bears, bobcats, and grey foxes make their home in the park, as well as the rarer northern flying squirrel. Lastly, Mount Mitchell is also a haven for birdwatchers, as 91 different species have been recorded in park history.

On our visit to the state park, we hiked two of the park’s seven trails. The first one (Balsam Nature Trail) is located at the summit and was an easy 0.75 mile hike. Although it was just ¾ of a mile in length, we took our time with it, stopping often and taking pictures of the beautiful scenery. Lined with Fraser Fir trees, it smelled like Christmas walking through the woods, which was quite a delight. The other trail (Camp Alice Trail) was located just a little further down the mountain and is adjacent to the park’s restaurant. It was more strenuous than the Balsam Nature Trail, but not so much to keep casual hikers, and even children, away from it. This trail was just a half mile and took about 30 minutes to reach the end, which is located right beside the park office and information center. While there were signs reminding hikers to be mindful of wildlife such as black bears and bobcats, we didn’t encounter any such thing.

Around lunchtime, we made the convenient stop at the Mount Mitchell State Park restaurant, located just down the mountain a little way from the summit. It is a nice, casual restaurant that allows travelers to sit down at a table, enjoy a nice meal, and take in the magnificent views. There is even a back-porch area lined with rocking chairs for those who want to let their food digest before taking on their next Mount Mitchell adventure. The food was good, although not anything special. They offered a pretty wide selection from sandwiches and chicken tenders to burgers and soups and salads. However, the prices are a little steep, as you will pay around $10-$12 for a dinner plate that comes with two sides and a drink. Ordering a salad will save you a few bucks and will be your cheapest option. If you are looking for a cheap lunch on your visit to Mount Mitchell, your best bet would be to pack your own so you won’t have to drive all the way down off the mountain and off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

With seven different hiking trails that vary in distance and difficulty, Mount Mitchell is a place that will be calling my name again soon to explore the parts that time didn’t allow this trip. And even if I had explored every inch of the park, I would like to re-visit the park at least every couple of years. There’s just something about the fresh mountain air 6,600 feet above sea level and the endless breathtaking scenery that makes you feel like you’re a world away, when in reality you’re right in North Carolina’s beautiful backyard. There’s also a reason vehicles in the parking lot had license tags ranging from Arizona to Illinois to New Hampshire. Mount Mitchell State Park is definitely worth a visit no matter how far or near you come from and I can guarantee you won’t leave disappointed.

Garett

Travel Review: Mount Mitchell State Park