Big Tom
Location: Northwest North Carolina
Trip Starts: Mt. Mitchell
Trip Ends: Mt. Mitchell
Total Distance: 8.6 miles
Hike Type: Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Trails Used: 179, 191, 191-A
Trail Traffic: Moderate to Heavy
Trip Type: Day or Overnight Hike
More Information:
Mount Mitchell State Park
2388 State Highway 128
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 675-4611
Highlights:
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′).
More Details:
- click to see trail photos from this hike: October 20, 2000
- click to view a detailed trip report: October 20, 2000
- click to view or add a brief trip report at yourhikes.com: October 20, 2000
- click to view maps: area map, detailed map, location map, profile map (password required)
- click to see another backpacker trip we did at Mt. Mitchell State Park
- click for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
- click to access the guidebook Hiking North Carolina which has details on this destination
- click for other North Carolina hiking and backpacking books
- click for other hikes in Mount Mitchell State Park
- click here to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
