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Please jump the fold for exploring a summer meetup on the highest mountain east of the Mississippi.
I have admittedly been jealous over the last few years seeing our Kossack friends trek to the amazing Glacier National Park for friendship and adventure. I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing I could attend.
DKos Asheville to the rescue! For a mountain meetup closer to home, we are happy to announce that DKos Asheville’s Summer Meetup will be at Mount Mitchell State Park, near Burnsville, North Carolina.
Our dear friend Burns Lass, as many of you know, is working on top of the world this season at Mount Mitchell where she also lives. This meetup will be a great chance to show some love and continue to grow our community during an adventurous outing.
Details and ideas are little to none at this point so I would appreciate some help from folks who know the park better than I. I plan on visiting the restaurant and pic-nic possibilities in the next few weeks and I’m sure Shelby, OS and LC (who lives next door for crying out loud) can gives us all the advice we need.
The date will need to be in August I think. We probably need an alternative spot if the restaurant is too full during a rain out. Burnsville would be my guess. I’m hoping for an early start and a nice long day with maybe a couple of venues on the itinerary and opportunities for short breakout hikes or shopping at the visitors center or whatever else we discover.
Following is some great information on the park with photos, a 360 degree video and an early sign up sheet for RSVPs and Maybees. Thanks for reading, this sounds fun, have a great weekend!
One of those places that stand apart from the ordinary, Mount Mitchell’s dramatic summit is the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet and was inspiration for one of the nation’s first state parks. From its easily accessible observation deck, the spruce-fir forest of Mount Mitchell State Park leads the eye to unmatched views. A museum explains the mountain’s cultural and natural history, and its trail network allows visitors to explore up close, offering short hikes near the summit and challenging treks leading to adjacent wilderness areas. A nine-site tent campground is open in warm-weather months, and backpacking opportunities abound, including entry onto the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. A concession area and a full-service restaurant serve visitors from May to October.
Campers and hikers, please read the Bear Advisory.
In addition to hiking, the 1,946-acre park also features an exhibit hall filled with fascinating details about the area, a concession stand and gift shop, and a restaurant where hungry hikers and view-seekers can enjoy a relaxed meal, surrounded by scenic vistas.
Tips for Visiting Mt Mitchell
- Bring a jacket or an extra layer of clothes. Temperatures are usually 10-30 degrees cooler than Asheville. Weather conditions can change rapidly. Take rain gear along if you are hiking.
- Eight out of ten days, the summit is covered in clouds and fog. Watch the weather, and try to visit when skies are very clear in Asheville.
- Allow plenty of driving time to reach Mt Mitchell (at least one hour from Asheville). The entrance is from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the traffic can be slow, especially on the weekends.
- The park is open year-round unless there the roads are covered in snow and ice. Since sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway close during much of the winter between Asheville and Mt. Mitchell, the only winter access is taking the Parkway south from NC Highway 80. Clear winter days can provide the longest views, but the wind and frigid temperatures can be unbearable. Call the Park office at 828-675-4611 to check winter road conditions.
- Enjoy a relaxing meal in the restaurant, located a half mile from the entrance of the park. Open May through October, it has a casual menu and scenic views. There's also a small gift shop and a "porch" with rocking chairs.
- The summit exhibit hall, concession stand and gift shop are also open May through October.
- Take a short hike on a paved trail (1/4 mile) to the Observation Deck atop Mt. Mitchell. It's ADA wheelchair accessible all the way (but uphill).
- Have a mile-high picnic. The shady picnic area, open year-round, is located at the north end of the summit parking lot. Forty picnic tables, stone grills and drinking water supply all the essentials. Two picnic shelters with fireplaces are perfect for group picnics.
DETAILS
Mount Mitchell Meet Up, Summer, 2017
When: Summer 2017
Where: Mount Mitchell State Park
Phone: 828-675-4611
Address: 2388 State Highway 128, Burnsville, NC 28714
Why: Community, friends, tools, networking, food, fun and adventure
Food: Mt. Mitchell Restaurant or pic-nic
Attendees:
Gordon20024, randallt, Joieau, Otteray Scribe, Burns Lass
Maybees: eeff, Zen Trainer