To skip the chatter and go right to the pics of this walk, click the link below:
Green Knob Fire Tower Trail(Opens in new window)
5.7 mile out-and-back walk to the Green Knob fire tower on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Pisgah National Forest. The walk started and ended at the Green Knob trailhead at the Black Mountain Campground near Forest Service Road 2074, a short distance off of the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 348) – May 1, 2011
I wanted to get a walk in on the first weekend of May, but since it was Sunday I needed to stay reasonably close to home. I’ve completed almost all of the trails in the eastern half of the Smoky Mountains, closest to home, so I decided on a walk near my second favorite, the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today I would take the long way up to the Green Knob fire tower from the Black Mountain Campground, just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mount Mitchell State Park. There is a short trail from an overlook on the Parkway that takes you to the tower, but I chose the more difficult 2000’ ascent from the campground to get an appropriate workout and feel like I earned it. Boy…this little trail really does make you earn it. (on the trailhead sign it is rated “Most Difficult”…I must say I agree)
In my own little world on the hiking trail, I was unaware of how important Sunday May 1st would be for America and our Allies, with the news of Usama bin Laden’s death making big headlines soon after I got home. Celebrations went off around the country like V-J day. Unfortunately, there was no country manning up and laying down their arms..but that’s a story for another day. Remember I said I wouldn’t get controversial because you get enough of that? Let me just say God Bless our country and our brave men and women that have toiled and sacrificed for far too long against an ‘unconventional’ enemy!
Uphill to the tower
If you’re coming from Asheville along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the dirt road that is designated Forest Service Road #2074 is about ½ mile north of milepost #348. You’ll turn left and descend through an area of campsites in Pisgah National Forest land. When the road comes to a triangle intersection, stay to left and you’ll hit the Black Mountain Campground on the banks of the South Toe River. There is a large parking area near an information kiosk, just before the entrance to the campground. The trailhead for the Green Knob Trail (#182) is yellow blazed and begins just behind the kiosk.
The trail starts out with an ascent through an open hemlock forest. As usual, most of the trees have already been killed off by the Hemlock Wooley Adelgid (HWA). Ferns burst from the ground to signal the arrival of Spring . I will see no one on the trail this late morning nor the remainder of the day, probably because the fire tower was closed. A short distance up the trail I spot the first of many Crested Dwarf Iris I’d see today. They sure stand out in early Spring. Painted Trillium were the other abundant wildflowers on this walk.
Soon the River Loop, a white-blazed trail that returns to the campground after a 3 mile loop, splits off and descends to the right. I continue straight and begin to climb into the tunnels of Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron.
The upper section and the tower
I continue to climb southward up Lost Cove Ridge, struggling against the congestion and sinus junk I’ve been fighting this week. The ridge thins in a laurel patch, and here I can begin to see the adjacent ridge and mountain off to the north and west, which I believe were Whiteside Ridge and Higgins Bald. In a few spots the climb gets intense, steep and then flattening again in a dense forest with blooming Fraser Magnolia. I stop to catch my breath and notice my reflection in the shiny mica on the trail bed. Further up a couple of large trees stand like sentinels, with the trail passing between them. I see the first little spruce tree growing beside the trail, unknowingly marking the beginning of the spruce-fir zone.
After another steep section there is finally the first, and very welcome, trail switchback. Nearby there are nice specimens of Squawroot, Star Chickweed, and more trillium.
I really get the feeling the tower must be close because I’ve been climbing hard for a long time, but unfortunately I’m way wrong. The trail narrows, then switches sharply back and begins climbing on rocks. These rocks would be somewhat tricky on the way back, causing me to crawl down to avoid slipping. The Black Mountains are now in plain view, with Clingmans Peak, Mount Mitchell, and Mount Craig visible in the increasing cloudiness. For the remainder of the climb, these peaks would be visible off to the west as well as nice views down the South Toe River valley. I hear the sounds of motorcycles now, and with each crest I get that same “I’ve got to be close” feeling, but the tower is not there. Big spruce trees are now all around and the trail is closed in with Hobblebush, blueberry, and laurel. There is an unmistakable aroma of the spruce-fir forest. I’m tired. Finally, when all hope seemed lost..the tower. J
The live-in Green Knob fire tower, built in 1931, is closed for its third refurbishment. It sits at 5080’ elevation on the Eastern Continental Divide with a commanding view of the Black Mountains, as well as many other peaks in all directions. It is clearly visible from the Parkway. With the refurb in full swing, wood debris and other junk is all around the mountain ridge.It is mid-afternoon now and the views are only so-so, with the clouds completely obscuring the eastern views and the western views beginning to cloud over too. It didn’t really matter, I was proud to have tackled this rough trail to get to the tower the hard way. Now next time, I’ll surely take the easy route from the Parkway Overlook. I return the way I came up and make my way home, happy with another good workout in the southern Appalachians. The bin Laden news is about to break.
Low elevation on my 5.7 mile out-and-back walk was around 3000’ at the trailhead at the Balsam Mountain Campground and high elevation was 5080’ at the Green Knob fire tower. The walk included about 2310’ in overall climbing.
For pics of this walk, click the link below:
Green Knob Fire Tower Trail(Opens in new window)
Dan DeSetto
