Winter on Mount Mitchell
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- Опубліковано 10 сер 2012
- Photographed, Edited and Written by Chanse Simpson
At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest peak East of the Mississippi River, and home to North Carolina's first state park. The weather on the mountain is more typical of Canada than the Southern United States. In the winter months, the park is frequently slammed with snowstorms, and often has more than 100 inches of snow annually. For the rangers and maintenance staff who live on the mountain, dealing with the snow and sub-zero temperatures is a constant challenge. This video shows a storm's arrival in the park, and the snowplow operation as workers fight to clear the roads and keep a path open to the outside world. It features storm footage, and many shots of deep snow drifts in the park. And because it was made in 2004, it shows the old tower on top of the mountain (that has since been replaced by a wide viewing platform that is accessible by a ramp). This documentary is featured regularly in the park's interpretive program. Designated by the state legislature in 1915, Mount Mitchell State Park is located in the Black Mountain Range in Yancey County, NC and encompasses nearly 2000 acres. For more information, check out Mt. Mitchell's website at ncparks.gov/
It's so cool seeing the old observation tower covered in ice.
Love these mtns. I have a home in Burnsville and I can hear the Winterstar Creek now. What a place to live. 💕🦋🌻
People sometimes underestimate how severe the winters can be on Mt. Mitchell. Granted, the climate is a bit more moderate than winters on Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. But, when you consider how far south Mt. Mitchell is, it's all-time record low of -34 F approaches the all-time record low on Mt. Washington of -47 F. Add to that seasonal snowfall amounts that have approached 250 inches before, and Mt. Mitchell truly replicates conditions found many, many miles to the north. Again, KUDOS, Chanse, watching this always bumps up my heartbeat a little.
I live just under 4000 feet on the western slope of Winter Star and Deer Mountains, part of the Black Mountain Chain of mountians. When one speaks of snow and cold on Mount Mitchell, one is also speaking of the same kind of weather on the other 6000+ foot peaks of the Black Mountain Range. From the northern most mountains, Celo Knob to Mount Mitchell and beyone all are connected on one ridge line. At over a mile in elevation is the Deep Gap of the Black the lowest point along the ridge. I walked once in 1982 from the Cattail Creek Community to Deep Gap and on to Mount Mitchell in late December, encountering thigh deep snow in places. I spent the night and returned the next day. Cattail Creek Commuiity had a wonderful White Christmas of about 8 inches. The community is on the western slopes and elevation ranges from about 3,000 to 4,200 feet where houses are located. All are on the Western slopes of the Black Mountains, highest in Eastern North America. I love where I live and am very proud to say so.
I love Mt. Mitchell in the winter!
I was surprised to learn that the park is open during the winter. Most places are closed during the colder months. It's very cool that they dedicate resources to keep the area accessible year round. It's a treasure that I would love to experience some day.
@Mosca Muerta: Accessible for hikers but not for drivers during much of the winter since there are barricades along the blue ridge parkway preventing access to higher elevations after roads get icy.
Great documentary about the Mountain I love. These Park Rangers are true troopers!
It's kinda like North Carolina gets the best of both worlds during the winter. I'ts nice and warm along the coast around the low country area of NC, but bitter cold, and beautifully white and covered in feet upon feet of snow in the inland Appalachian areas, especially in Mount Mitchell.
It’s definitely not as consistent or as snowy as up north or in the Rockies but on a good year sometimes the tops of mountains can develop a snow pack!
"Mount Mitchell saw 8.5 inches Thursday and 11 inches Friday. On Saturday, the park was walloped with 41 inches." I bet those plows couldn't keep up with 41" in a 24 hr....
May hike it this January! Can’t wait for all the snow!
Thank you for sharing this video...
Bob Caldwell!
great
It’s interesting to see plows on Mt Mitchell and the parkway down to NC-80. Maybe this is how things used to be. These days, the slightest gust of wind or rain even when the temps are in the 40s up there - as soon as the tourists have gone in early November - everything shuts (especially Asheville to Blowing Rock), so no need to plow. Same for pretty much the whole BRP. It’s a shame too for us locals (am in AVL) as we prefer it when it’s not touristy. To be fair, I presume budgets are far less now than they were when this was filmed, and it’s dangerous work. Maybe if we start charging tourists to use the Mt Mitchell park roads (and the parkway), more $ will be around for maintenance and things like this.
For snow in winter, I tend to go up to Carver’s Gap near Roan Mountain. Regular state roads up there, but note the NC side is usually cleared well if there’s snow. The TN side - not so much.
Ahhhh!
Why would there be 2 "thumbs down" on this video? If this video bothers someone, they have some real issues.
Haha true.