Mount Mitchell Summit Trail: The Highest Point east of the Mississippi
The Mount Mitchell Summit and Balsam Nature Trail is an easy hike to the highest point east of the Mississippi River. The trail begins at the Summit Parking lot in Mount Mitchell State Park, along the Blue Ridge Highway, about 35 miles from Asheville.
Mount Mitchell’s summit soars to 6,684 feet. It’s located in the Black Mountain range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
We did this hike with some friends in late summer afternoon. When we pulled into the parking lot, it was busy. The lot was large, but there were only a few spots left. The weather outside was moody. It had been spitting rain off and on all morning.
- Trail Name: Mount Mitchell Summit and Balsam Nature Trail
- Trailhead Location: Summit Parking Lot
- Distance: 1 Mile Round Trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: ~150 Feet
- Type: Loop
- Features: Summit Views
- Dogs: No
Hiking to the Highest Point East of the Mississippi River
With dark clouds overhead, we headed up the paved summit trail. I was not convinced clouds would not sock in it. To my surprise, we got to the summit just in time and enjoyed an excellent view for a few minutes. On a clear day, you can see up to 85 miles and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the Pisgah National Forest. We could not see 85 miles that day, but the view was still very nice. Then, very quickly, thick clouds rolled it, and we headed back down to the Balsam Nature Trail.
This was a great hike through a fairly thick forest. Because of its elevation, it resembles more of a northern spruce and fir Canadian forest than a southern Appalachian forest. A small stream along this trail is the highest spring in the eastern U.S. The trail has white triangle blazes and is well-worn.
On a historical note, Elisha Mitchell is buried at the summit of his namesake Mount Mitchell. Mitchell died trying to prove beyond doubt that the mountain was the highest in the eastern United States.
In total, we spent about 45 minutes hiking and enjoying the views.
