Mt. Gibbes, Mt. Hallback, Mt. Mitchell, & Mt. Craig, NC (9.0 miles; d=13.90)
Read MoreSouthern Black Mountain Range Hike Route Map
The approximate track of my hike up Mt. Gibbes, Mt. Hallback, Mt. Mitchell, & Mt. Craig...as depicted a la Google Earth...
Southern Black Mountain Range Hike Route Map
The approximate track of my hike up Mt. Gibbes, Mt. Hallback, Mt. Mitchell, & Mt. Craig...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,060')
The easiest access to Mt. Gibbes is via the road up to neighboring Clingmans Peak. Road walks are never my favorite but it certainly beats having to bushwhack...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,060')
Looking back at Steppes Gap as I start up the tower road. Mt. Hallback (6,391'), which would be the next peak I'd be headed for, rises above the ranger office...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,150')
For a road walk I was enjoying myself quite a bit...views like this certainly helped. Mt. Hallback (6,391') is to the right with Mt. Mitchell (6,684') rising beyond...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,200')
The forecast called for a 30% chance of thunderstorms so for much of the hike I kept a wary eye to the sky watching for darkening clouds...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,300')
Nearing the top of the road a break in the trees offered up a nice view across the valley of Cane Creek towards the Craggy Mountains...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,400')
Rounding the last bend in the road the summit towers of Clingmans Peak came into view...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,400')
The stunning panorama to the west from near the top of the tower road...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,500')
Reaching the top of Clingmas Peak (or as close to the top as you can get without trespassing) you are faced with a three-way split. Ahead is the tower (off-limits), to the right is a private drive, while to the left is the old trail road that heads to Mt. Gibbes...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,510')
Peeking around the corner for a look at the summit of Clingmans Peak...
Clingmans Peak Tower Road (6,500')
Looking downhill from the split atop Clingmans Peak you can see the old road headed right. This is the route over to Mt. Gibbes...
Giz Mo
on September 7, 2015trying to nail down a trek that would either start or end at blackstock knob and then make for celo knob...not wed to one direction or the other. have any advice? can't find much for a through hike of the black mountain crest trail that would allow me to bag blackstock in the process.
kw
on June 10, 2014Congrats to quite a day of hikes enjoyed, and accomplished! Wow! Love the views captured -- I also like your 'height' markers on each photo-- puts into perspective just what climbs climbed and could be expected when attempting this feat.....