Going to Mount Mitchell

We drove to the top of Mount Mitchell which at 6,684 feet is the highest point in North Carolina.  When we left the RV Park it was 80 degrees at the top of the mountain it was 58.
 
From the RV Park we needed to drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the road directly outside the RV Park was the most direct route.  In the mountains never assume that the direct route is a good way to go. The road was laid out by an insane person. We thought we had seen sharp “wave to yourself as you go by” curves. Nope! Now we have. They were the worst yet.  I guess I should have just stopped the car and turned around when the warning signs against trucks using the road started showing up.  The one that really stood out was the information sign that said the nick name of the road is the ‘Devil’s Whip’. 

The road is very popular with bikers. It is considered a badge of honor to have driven it. On some curves the speed limit was 10 mph.  We averaged 20 mph over the 12 miles. At one point the road turned so sharp and was so steep that the trucks tires slipped.  This is a paved road and the curves were incredibly banked.  I should have setup the GoPro to record this drive.
 
Shawna says that she has officially been on a roller coaster ride in a truck.

Once we reached the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway things calmed down including the road.  We stopped at several overlooks before reaching the Mount Mitchel State Park entrance.  At the top we walked to the observation tower.

The hike around the mountain started near the top. It was down one half of the mountain and over to a ridge and then back up. We passed through thick pines and other trees.  Large areas where it was dark from the coverage but the floor of the forest was covered in thick moss.  Then as we got lower in elevation the forest changed and there were large areas of Blackberry’s and Blueberry bushes. The total of today’s hike was over 3.5 miles and rated as Strenuous.  Since a large amount of the trail was like climbing a rock ladder, I agree.  The elevation change was about 1000 feet down and then back up to the top.

The drive down in fast forward.  Just for fun.

We decided that we would be relaxing tomorrow.