Mount Mitchell &

The Black Mountain Crest Trail Backpacking Trip

July 10-12, 2021

Escape the summer heat and hike the highest trail East of the Mississippi on this 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip. The Black Mountain Crest Trail is a demanding path that extends 11 miles over the summits of several 6000'+ peaks, including Mount Mitchell, tallest peak East of the Mississippi. Test your fitness and resolve for the chance of experiencing incredible views, exciting terrain, distinct ecosystems, and an adventure you won't soon forget. This hike is approximately 17 miles and is a good fit for folks who are experienced hikers or backpackers who are ready for a challenge. Because of the high elevaition of this trip, weather can be unpredictable (Mt Mitchell has recorded snow every month of the year)!  You should be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.

"The trail and hike itself was challenging (which we wanted) but crazy beautiful and worth every uphill climb. The views
were absolutely spectacular. It was the perfect trip for us!" -L.S. Black Mountain Crest Trail Backpacking Trip, August 2020

Cost:

$575 per person
Scholarships and Sliding Scale Fees are available for this trip.  Please reach out to us at trips@blueridgehikingco.com for more information.

This trip will run if there are a minimum of 2 participants signed up. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll contact participants two weeks before the trip (June 26) to discuss options. The maximum group size is 6 participants. If you are traveling in a party of 4 or more hikers, we encourage you to consider a private backpacking trip. You can find more information about our private trip offerings by sending us an email.

In addition to your guide, this price includes backpacking gear for the trip, all on-trail food (Saturday lunch through Monday lunch), transportation between the meet-up location and the trailhead, and any necessary backcountry permits. Price also includes a nalgene bottle and a neck gaiter (can be used as a face covering when within 6ft of your guide or other hikers).  It does not include gratuity for your guide.

Sign-Up Details:

In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our trip calendar and select the trip start date (June 10). You will find the trip listed there. 

A few weeks before the start of the trip, we will be in contact via email with an information packet for you to fill out. This includes a waiver, health form, and gear request form. Please complete and return this form at your earliest convenience. At that time we will also send a detailed packing list, and any trip-specific information.

Itinerary:

Meet-up: You will meet your guide at 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 10 at the trailhead at the Black Mountain Campground.  You will receive detailed driving directions to this location about a month in advance of the trip, when we send the pre-trip information packet.

Your guide will hand out you gear and food, and make sure you are packed correctly. He will also provide a trip overview and discuss trail safety and etiquette. From there, you'll take our shuttle to Bowlens Creek, the northern terminus of the Black Mountain Crest Trail where you'll start your hike!

Over the coure of 3 days, you will hike strenuous terrain to traverse the Black Mountain Range, summit Mount Mitchell, and descend to the Black Mountain Campground. Daily mileage will range from 6-8 miles and include substantial elevation gain and loss-- over 3000' of gain on the first day! The hike will finish around lunchtime on the last day. Participants will receive detailed daily itinerary in their confirmation email. 

Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities.  Please inform our admin team or your guide ahead of time if you have a time constraint the last day of your trip.

Guide:

Your guide for this trip is Eli Mills. Eli (he/him) grew up in rural Iowa where his love of the outdoors grew from exploring the fields and rivers outside his back door. He moved to Western North Carolina in 2007 and was immediately enchanted by the mountains and people. Between his many personal and professional outdoor endeavors, Eli has spent about as many nights sleeping under the stars as in a bed over the past 14 years. Eli is an avid rock climber and runner, and when he is not pursuing life in the outdoors, you'll find him creating delicious foods in his kitchen, usually with a cup of coffee in hand.

What we Provide:

Food: BRHC provides all on-trail food. Your guide will pass out the food for your trip on the first morning. You will be expected to carry your own individually packaged food (such as oatmeal packets) and some shared community items (such as a jar of peanut butter or a block of cheese). We do our best to cater to requests, but options are limited because it is important to keep food light weight; fresh foods can be heavy and bulky. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, please notify your guide or our admin team ahead of time. 

Individual Use Gear: BRHC provides high quality, ultralight, cottage industry backpacking gear to make your exerience as comfortable as possible.  We offer the following five pieces of gear at no additional cost:

1. Backpacks - We use a lightweight 60L pack. We will ask for your height and weight in order to fit the pack appropriately to you.
2. Tents - We have one-person tents and two-person tents available. Please let us know if you would like to share with a friend.
3. Sleeping Bags - We use a 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag. We also have sleeping bag liners available.
4. Sleeping Pads - These will insulate you from the ground and provide some cushion and comfort. We provide hikers with a closed-cell foam pad, for its excellent combination of weight and durability.
5. Trekking Poles - These will provide you with some added stability while hiking, and may be used to set up your tent.

Community Gear: BRHC provides all community gear for the trip, including water filters and back-up chemical treatment; camping stoves and fuel; bowls, spoons, and cups; trowels, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer; first aid kit; and map and compass.

What to Bring:

We will send all participants a detailed packing list a few weeks before the trip. You are expected to bring your own clothing/footwear, personal gear (such as headlamps and water bottles), medications, and approved optional items. Generally, comfortable trail shoes are better than heavy hiking boots. Please do not pack any cotton - if it gets wet, it does not dry quickly and will not keep you warm. Athletic clothes are a good option. You will need only one outfit to hike in, one outfit to sleep in, a raincoat, and a warm layer. You will not need a new set of clean clothes each day. Because temperatures in April can be cool, you should also pack a set of baselayers, a hat, and a pair of gloves. We recommend bringing at least 1 hard-sided plastic water bottle (ex: Nalgene) to use as a hot water bottle in your tent/sleeping bag if overnight temperatures are cold. You will not need any make-up, hair products, scented products or deodorant. Just bring a toothbrush and toothpaste and enjoy going all natural for the trip!

COVID Safety Information:

Due to NC's mask mandate, all participants over the age of 11 are required to wear face coverings during pack shakedown and in our shuttle vehicle.  We also ask that you wear a mask any time you are within 6ft of your guide or another participant.  We provide each hiker with a neck gaiters that can be used as a face covering.  We have added extra gear cleaning steps between trips.  Additionally, we will be providing individually packaged food when possible and have single person tents available for all participants (although you still can request two person tents).  If you have additional questions about the safety precautions for your trip, please contact us via phone or email.

Cancellation Policy:

Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather.

We hike rain or shine!  While it is incredibly rewarding, backpacking is an endurance sport, and it can be challenging and/or uncomfortable at times.  Maintaining a positive mindset, even when it is uncomfortable, is key to enjoying your time in the wilderness.  With our focus on lightweight gear, our goal is for your pack to weigh around 25lbs (or no more than 25% of your body weight).

If your guide does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip.  Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip.  Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 15-20% of trip price.

If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach us by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.