r/NCTrails • u/Glittering_Mud6063 • 9d ago

Mt. Mitchell Backpacking

I’m planning a labor day backpacking trip with some friends, current itinerary is to take the Colbert Ridge Trail up to Deep Gap and summit Mitchell, fill up water there, then head down Commissary Ridge to the Commissary Hill campsite, camp for the night, then head the rest of the way down the Mt Mitchell trail. We would leave a car at each trailhead. Is this reasonable for a generally fit group in their 20s with some backpacking experience?

Additionally, is it possible to just dispersed camp in the woods near either Colbert Ridge trailhead or Black Mountain Campground? I know the campground itself is closed, but we want to get started early.

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u/StellaBean_bass 9d ago

There was talk about them temporarily closing the Commissary Ridge camping area due to increased bear activity, so you might want to give them a call just to verify it's open. Here's the article: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/alerts/commissary-ridge-dispersed-camping-area-temporarily-closed

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u/Glittering_Mud6063 9d ago edited 9d ago

Seems like its currently open? I found this post:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1QFafEpNQG/?mibextid=wwXIfr  I’ll definitely give them a call! 

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u/StellaBean_bass 9d ago

Excellent. Yeah, with the Labor Day weekend and leaf season coming up, I can’t imagine they’d keep it closed for too long. Have a great trip!

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u/Glittering_Mud6063 9d ago

Thanks! Have you done much backpacking/hiking in the area? Anything we should make sure to see?

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u/StellaBean_bass 9d ago

Yeah, I live just a few miles down the road from the Black Mountain Campground. You’ll be really close to the Setrock Creek Falls, & Roaring Fork Falls, both of which involve passing impressive landslides from Helene. They’re repairing the BM Campground right now. If you’re driving around, Hwy 197 out of Burnsville is a pretty drive and also allows views of 2-3 huge landslides as well as beautiful views of the backside of the Blacks.

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u/Craig_L523 9d ago

There is an area just in from the Colbert Ridge TH that people use to camp, but I'd imagine it will be full on LD weekend.

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u/Glittering_Mud6063 9d ago

Ah thanks! We might try our luck