This hike is one of my favorites. It features a spectacular view at the very top. Today was a bit windy but still everyone got a seat at lunch with a view.
The entire route is 14 miles and a great workout going up. Eventually everyone finds a pace they are comfortable with and trudge on. To me it is hardly believable the trail is a a common mountain bike route. There are too many steep drop offs for me to even consider that.
The single track trail ends at the old toll road. There are some camp trailers located at this spot. I'm told bear hunters use them but it looks like beer drinkers to me. We follow the old toll road a short distance. This was the original route to Mt Mitchell prior to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The route started in Black Mountain or Montreat and charged a toll to travel it.
Today we encountered snow on the last section which is a faintly blazed route on steep terrain. Finally you emerge to an outcropping overlooking Mt Mitchell. From here it is all downhill.
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