Snake Mountain, NC

Описание: One of two peakbagging hikes I did in the Amphibolite Mountains with perfect weather. This first hike was to Snake Mountain, the tallest peak in the range at 5,564 feet. The Amphibolite Mtns are located north of Boone in northwestern North Carolina and feature a number of spectacular peaks. I chose to start at the northern trailhead, just up the road from the Elk Knob State Park entrance. The lower half of the trail crosses private land of homeowners and the Sunalei Preserve, but hikers are welcome. The ascent is steep, approximately 1,300 feet in ~1.2 miles. Once the forest road ends the scramble trail follows open boulder fields to the crest of the mountain. Almost every huge outcrop offers outstanding views north of Stone Mt, Whitetop Mt, and Mt. Rogers, and northeast of notable Amphibolite Mtns like The Peak, Three Top Mt, Old Field Bald, Bluff Mt, and Elk Knob.

When you reach the crest the trail turns south and steeply follows gullies through and over boulders to the north peak at 5,518 feet. Almost everything is exposed, the heath shrubs barely reach chest height. You'll see the south/main summit from here and the valleys 2,000 feet below in Tennessee. The next section along the main summit is sparsely covered by northern hardwood forests, mainly ash. Just beyond the summit is a fantastic grassy field with big southern views of Rich Mountain Bald, Grandfather Mt, the ski mountains, the Black Mtns, and the Roan Highlands. The trail drops very steeply to Rich Mountain Gap, but I turned around and got to enjoy the northern views on the return. This is easily one of the best summit hikes I've been on in the state.

Hike was 4 miles in 3 hours and 35 minutes.