Mount Mitchell

Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the Appalachians and also the highest peak on the East Coast.  It peaks out at 6,684 feet.  It is located in Yancy County near the town of Burnsville and can be accessed via the Blue Ridge  Parkway at mile marker 355.4.  You will want to go Spring, Summer, or Fall but due to its high elevation it is colder and has more ice during Winter months, thus is closed.  It is approximately 35 miles Northeast of Asheville. 

We are going to continue our journey from the last post (Craggy Gardens) and enter the tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway that will take us up to Mount Mitchell.



You will past overlooks for Mountain Vistas on the Blue Ridge Parkway.



You will eventually come to the road that will take you up to Mount Mitchell.  You can park at the very top (which has a refreshment cafe). 



The day I went it was cloudy up at Mount Mitchell.  The weather kept changing from cloudy to rainy to sunny depending on the elevation I was at.  What is really interesting is not only the peak at Mount Mitchell but all the native plants and the hiking.  I only got to do a brief hike that day due to the fact I was on my way to Crabtree Falls. 

When you cross the road from the parking area, you will see a picnic area with a shed. 



Busy around this shed will be several insects pollinating the flowers.



A Black Swallowtail.



Bumblebees.
 
You will also see different wildflowers.



When you walk further, you will enter into the Pisgah Forest. 



Mount Mitchell trees.

 There are several neat finds in here.  For example, this lichen growing on quartz rock. 



The paths will take you through the trees.



Some of the paths have rock stairs.



The day I was there, I was in awe of all the different species of wild mushrooms. 



Fly Agaric which has lichen growing around it.



Melanoleuca maritima



Russula



I believe this is False Turkey Tail.

There are more species of mushrooms but this is a taste of them.  We are going to continue our journey up the Blue Ridge Parkway through more Mountain Vistas leaving Mount Mitchell behind.




Past unique trees.



On our way up to Crabtree Falls.