Mount Mitchell State Park - Big Tom - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Mount Mitchell State Park - Big Tom
Country:	United States
State:	North Carolina
Nearby Town:	Marion
Rating:
Directions:	Mount Mitchell State Park is located in Yancey County, 33 miles north of Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker #355. From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north to mile marker #355 and turn left onto NC 128, which leads to the park. Winter conditions may cause delays or closures on the parkway. From I-40, east of Asheville, take exit 86, NC 226 to Marion/Shelby. NC 226 merges with US 221 and US 70 in Marion. Veer left on US 70. After about two miles, turn north on NC 80. Follow NC 80 north/northeast for 16 miles. Turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow the parkway to mile marker #355 and turn right onto NC 128, which leads to the park. From Highway 19, travel south on Highway 80 and turn right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow the parkway south to mile marker #355 and turn onto NC 128, which leads to the park.
Total Hike Distance:	8.60 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate to Difficult
Permit Required:	Yes
Hike Type:	Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Mount Mitchell
Trails Used:	179, 191, 191-A
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	Springs
Management:	State Park Service
Contact Information:	Mount Mitchell State Park 2388 State Highway 128 Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 675-4611
Best Season:	Summer, Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads
Hike Summary:	Mt. Mitchell at 6684 feet is the highest peak in North Carolina and it is named for Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a professor of sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill. He correctly deduced that the peak was the highest in the Black Mountain range, but Dr. Mitchell unfortunately died at a waterfall on the western slope of the mountain. There are spectacular views from a lookout tower at the summit of Mt. Mitchell and along the ridgeline which includes Mt. Craig (6647') and Big Tom (6580').