As someone who adores the Black Mountain Range I truly salute your videos and the connection you have for the BMR and our gorgeous Appalachian mountains of NC. Keep your best foot continuing forward Zachary. I much love your videos and the experiences you share with us hiking them.
Thank you again for sharing your adventures with us...I love ...absolutely LOVE the Black Mountains...I feel most at home in this area and the South Toe area.
@@bigzach322 Went old Mitchell toll rd to the parkway, walked up 128 to the Buncombe horse range trail to Mt Mitchell trail up to the summit. Came back down and camped in Commissary Hill.
You inspired me to do the Black Mountain Hiking Challenge, following in your footsteps. I will be doing the Black Mountain Campground trails on Tuesday, your Hike #1 on Wednesday, and your Hike #2 (this video) on Thursday. Weather is supposed to be super. Anyhow, keep those videos coming. If the COVID virus fades, maybe back to Europe next year sometime. I am retired now, so have plenty of time to hike!
Awesome, you really lucked out with the weather this week. I'm actually in the same area for the week staying at a cabin with a view of the Black Mountains, so I know the views must be spectacular up there.
Hey Zach great video I just recently bagged mount rogers for the 3rd time but I decided to do it from elk garden this time it was a nice hike and I had great views from brier ridge saddle
Been binge watching some of your hikes today (love them ALL). Did you ever do the hike from Elk Garden? Doing an out and back from there to Thomas Knob Shelter is a pleasant hike, with much of the trail having a soft tread, a nice change from all the roots and rocks! But that area is getting so crowded I am now seeking the lesser known hiking (and horse) trails. It's fun exploring! And by the way, congrats on your degree!
Mt Mitchell is 10 ft making it 6,694 ft high and Clingmans Dome is 45 ft making it 6,688 ft high. And I wasn't a doctor in this video but I have since finished, so thanks anyways!
@@bigzach322 Keep in mind that both observation towers are actually in North Carolina however. Most do not realize that most of the Clingmans Dome summit road, trail, and parking areas are entirely in NC. That includes the observation Tower itself there as well. Still the views from atop Mitchell are unrivaled with the huge prominence it brings of the surrounding views.
I'm planning to take my 10 year old on a shorter version of this hike. Just an out and back from the parking lot to Maple Ridge Bald. Did you come across a good amount of water sources? We're planning to camp at Maple Ridge Bald.
The best water source is the closest one to Maple Camp Bald. You cross the beginning of Thee Creek right after the junction with the Big Tom Gap Trail. There will always be some water there.
As someone who adores the Black Mountain Range I truly salute your videos and the connection you have for the BMR and our gorgeous Appalachian mountains of NC. Keep your best foot continuing forward Zachary. I much love your videos and the experiences you share with us hiking them.
Great video as always. Congrats on your progress towards your PHD!
Thank you!
Thank you again for sharing your adventures with us...I love ...absolutely LOVE the Black Mountains...I feel most at home in this area and the South Toe area.
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed.
Your videos inspired me to hike from the Graybeard trailhead to Mt Mitchell. Thanks for sharing
Dang that's a tough hike
@@bigzach322 Went old Mitchell toll rd to the parkway, walked up 128 to the Buncombe horse range trail to Mt Mitchell trail up to the summit. Came back down and camped in Commissary Hill.
Yeah that's long, I'd get tired of that because it's almost all rocky forest roads.
You inspired me to do the Black Mountain Hiking Challenge, following in your footsteps. I will be doing the Black Mountain Campground trails on Tuesday, your Hike #1 on Wednesday, and your Hike #2 (this video) on Thursday. Weather is supposed to be super. Anyhow, keep those videos coming. If the COVID virus fades, maybe back to Europe next year sometime. I am retired now, so have plenty of time to hike!
Awesome, you really lucked out with the weather this week. I'm actually in the same area for the week staying at a cabin with a view of the Black Mountains, so I know the views must be spectacular up there.
@@bigzach322 Yes, it was fabulous. May be the last hurrah for the year, we shall see!
Hey Zach great video I just recently bagged mount rogers for the 3rd time but I decided to do it from elk garden this time it was a nice hike and I had great views from brier ridge saddle
I may go there tomorrow just to get some cooler temperatures, haven't hiked from Elk Garden towards Mt. Rogers.
Been binge watching some of your hikes today (love them ALL). Did you ever do the hike from Elk Garden? Doing an out and back from there to Thomas Knob Shelter is a pleasant hike, with much of the trail having a soft tread, a nice change from all the roots and rocks! But that area is getting so crowded I am now seeking the lesser known hiking (and horse) trails. It's fun exploring! And by the way, congrats on your degree!
Just wondering, is the observation tower at Clingman's Dome actually higher than Mount Mitchell? Love those little balds. And congrats, doc!
Mt Mitchell is 10 ft making it 6,694 ft high and Clingmans Dome is 45 ft making it 6,688 ft high. And I wasn't a doctor in this video but I have since finished, so thanks anyways!
@@bigzach322 Keep in mind that both observation towers are actually in North Carolina however. Most do not realize that most of the Clingmans Dome summit road, trail, and parking areas are entirely in NC. That includes the observation Tower itself there as well. Still the views from atop Mitchell are unrivaled with the huge prominence it brings of the surrounding views.
Yup I know all of this, the top of the tower is on the border.
I'm planning to take my 10 year old on a shorter version of this hike. Just an out and back from the parking lot to Maple Ridge Bald. Did you come across a good amount of water sources? We're planning to camp at Maple Ridge Bald.
The best water source is the closest one to Maple Camp Bald. You cross the beginning of Thee Creek right after the junction with the Big Tom Gap Trail. There will always be some water there.