May 23, 2016 — Although you can drive up to Mount Mitchell and take in the views, getting to the highest point east of the Mississippi River of course deserves a hike. The Blue Ridge Mountains are extra pretty at this relatively high and uncommon elevation, especially when coming from a few thousand feet lower and the change in vegetation is apparent the higher I went. I started at the Black Mountain Campground and took the Mount Mitchell Trail.
Along the way, in order to form a small loop I left the Mount Mitchell Trail to hike along the Higgins Bald Trail, which rejoined the Mount Mitchell Trail as I made my way to the summit. The terrain became more mossy and the trail switchbacked along the southeast ridge of Mount Mitchell before reaching the noisy summit area.
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