North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association & Friends of Mount Mitchell State Park

The N.C. High Peaks Trail Association will lead hikers into the historic abandoned community of Lost Cove on Friday, August 28. Settled during or shortly after the Civil War, Lost Cove is nestled above the Nolichucky River, and can only be reached on foot.

This very strenuous hike is about 7 miles long and will take 5+ hours to complete. We will descend about 1,200 feet in elevation to visit the Lost Cove ruins, buildings and cemetery, followed by a 1,200-foot climb back to our starting point.  Only experienced hikers in good condition should attempt this hike.

Come join us for hike on a great trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 4 to 4.5 mile hike is a section of the Tanawha Trail.  We will start at Rough Ridge and hike past the Linville Cove Viaduct. The trail continues to Stacked Rocks and we will end at Beacon Heights. We should have beautiful views of the mountains, maybe some mushrooms and late blooming flowers.  Hike is moderate. Portions of the trail are rocky and could be slippery.
Please bring hiking poles (if used) plenty of water, snacks and maybe a sandwich.

Exceptionally-fit and very experienced hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Saturday, July 25 for a very challenging hike on the Black Mountain Crest Trail. The 11.2 mile jaunt will offer spectacular views from Yancey County's signature mountain chain.

Families are invited to join High Peaks for a kids’ hike on Saturday, July 11 at the Black Mountain Campground.

We’ll hike the Devil’s Den Nature Trail and to Setrock Creek Falls, about 1.5 miles. We’ll explore the trails and what we might find on and around them!

Fit, experienced hikers are invited to join NC High Peaks Trail Association for a hike on the Mount Mitchell and Higgins Bald trails on Friday, June 26. This moderately strenuous, six-mile "lollipop" hike has 1800 feet of elevation gain and should take about four hours to complete.

Hikers will get views of a large Helene-related landslide passing through the Higgins Bald Trail. Bring plenty of food and water, hiking poles if you use them and clothes suitable for the weather forecast.

Join High Peaks for our first-ever hike for kids on Saturday, June 13 as we venture on an easy stroll to one of Yancey’s most beautiful waterfalls, Roaring Fork.

Please note that a parent or guardian must accompany each child on this outing. Multiple siblings may join in as long as one parent/guardian is present on the hike.

Meet at the Roaring Fork trailhead parking area (near the Mt. Mitchell Golf Course off NC 80) at 9:00 a.m.

Join High Peaks for an easy-to-moderate hike near the Black Mountain Campground on Friday, May 29. We’ll do an out-and-back on the Lower River Loop, which overlooks the South Toe River.

Meet at the parking lot across from the campground at 9 a.m. We can no longer do a loop because of flooding damage from Helene, but we’ll hike 4 to 5 miles without much elevation change, taking in the Devil’s Den Nature Trail on the return trip to the campground.

Join NC High Peaks for a hike on the beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail from Beauty Spot to Unaka Mountain on Saturday, May 9. This moderately challenging out-and-back hike will cover a total of 6.2 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain and will take about four hours to complete.

Come join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Friday, April 24, for a hike on the Over the Mountain Trail. This is an easy hike/stroll through the woods and should be full of trillium blooming!  

Meet at the Mineral Museum just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Spruce Pine at 9 a.m.; the trailhead is nearby.

The trek will be about 3 miles. Leashed dogs are welcome. Please bring water, a snack if wanted, and hiking poles if you use them. All welcome!