Mount Mitchell Summit Reopens (Updated with Pictures)

posted in: WNC Hiking | 3

The new observation deck atop 6.684′ Mount Mitchell has opened. It was originally scheduled for completion in 2007, but was finally finished around November 2008. As of January 2009 notices on the Park’s web site regarding closures around the construction site were removed, and a visit in February confirms that the summit has reopend. The short deck replaces the aging concrete and stone tower which was torn down a couple of years ago to make way for the new structure. Why not make the trip to the summit to check it out, before the crowds return in spring? You can drive to the summit, but an invigorating hike along the Old Mitchell trail will get you there without feeling like a tourist!

Update 2/15/09: Here are some pictures from my trip, on a windy, foggy day.

The New Trail

Looking up the trail from the Environmental Education building.

Looking up at the observation platform from the trail

Looking up at the observation platform from the trail.

The summit area and platform.

The summit area and platform.

The top of the platform.

The top of the platform. It was comletely fogged in, so I didn’t even try to get a picture of the view.

 

3 Responses

  1. Allen

    Now that the old 45′ tour has been replaced by the observation deck on Mt. Mitchell,, is a person standing on the Clinbmans Dome Tower in the Smokies now at a higher elevation or does the Mt. Mitchell deck still put you at a higher level? In other works, how tall is the deck above the mountain top?

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