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Mt Mitchell is often shrouded in clouds and mist but it is one of my favorite destinations whenever I get the opportunity to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had a brief break in the weather patterns which called for mostly rainy conditions although a ray of sunshine in Blowing Rock didn’t necessarily translate into comparable conditions atop Mt. Mitchell nearly 60 miles farther south off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Excluding the most extreme conditions, the journey is almost always worth the effort; this year was no exception. The mountain reigns as the highest in the ‘J’ shaped range of the Black Mountains as well as the highest peak east of the Mississippi. The weather conditions atop Mitchell are variable and can change swiftly. The temperature at the peak and on the surrounding trails can range from chilly to downright cold so additional clothing is always a good idea when planning a visit to Mitchell. Much to our surprise the winds at the peak were largely absent, the temperature was extremely pleasant, and best of all, there were new growth trees everywhere which appeared to be strong and healthy –one familiar with Mt. Mitchell is aware of the silent, silver skeletons littering the landscape near the peak scoured by the often unrelenting force of the wind. Of course clouds, mist, and haze were companions on the day we drove to the mighty mountain; however, the cathedral-like serenity of the trails, especially the Balsam Trail, are palpably restive; and, the journeyman-like order of nature is ubiquitous –fallen trees are left to complete the cycle of life, returning their borrowed energy to the mysterious reservoir which nourishes life. It is not a tidy house or manicured estate; it is not a museum, mostly static save for the special exhibits designed to increase or maintain attendance, if nothing else, Mitchell represents an irrepressible dynamism, a force which elicits awe and from its darker aspects, trepidation. We noticed that there were fewer wildflowers in bloom from our visit last year and this held true for all of the trails we hiked along the Parkway; nevertheless, Mt. Mitchell remains one of my most favorite places to visit.
