Blue Ridge Parkway Day #10

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Scheduled to arrive in Asheville, NC today, we looked ahead and saw that the temperature was going to be a pleasant upper-50s in Asheville. Perfect, we figured, for a hike at the peak of Mount Mitchell State Park. However, as you can see here, Mother Nature had other plans!!

As we climbed the mountain the heavy clouds turned to a light mist with strong winds and the dashboard indicated the temperature was dropping with each bit of elevation gain. By the time we reached the summit the temperature was well below freezing and the mist had created a frozen tundra! Ice clung to anything not moving.

Needless to say, we DID NOT hike the summit trails and instead took some photos from the car and headed back to the mid-50s in Asheville.

Click on Image for Map.

From ChatGPT:

Mount Mitchell, accessible via NC 128 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at about 6,684 feet, towering above the Black Mountains in western North Carolina. It’s within Mount Mitchell State Park, offering panoramic views, hiking trails, and a unique spruce-fir ecosystem. After Hurricane Helene damage in 2024, Parkway access and park facilities have largely reopened, welcoming visitors again to this iconic Appalachian summit.