| Date |
Distance |
Time |
Elevation Gain |
Average Moving Time |
Year to Date Miles |
| 10/5/2025 |
4.4 miles |
2 hours 23 minutes |
403' |
2.1 mph |
290.6 |
Parking: Map:- Go down the steps and pass through the gate to take the Commissary Trail. This is a wide gravel trail. At the sign for Camp Alice Trail, continue straight on the wide gravel path. Pass a hairpin turn on the right. Pass the Commissary Hill Backcountry Campsite on the right. In a few feet, the Mount Mitchell Trail heads off to the left. At this point, turn around and return the same way.
We headed up to Mt. Mitchell State Park to see some fall foliage. We drove by Craggy Gardens, which was in the clouds (as it often is). The visitor center parking lot was packed anyways. The fall foliage is about at peak between Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell. I never get tired of the view in that section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Our plan was to hike the Old Mount Mitchell Trail from Stepps Gap to the summit. That trail was closed though, so we took the Commissary Trail, which leaves from the same trailhead. The parking lot was quite full, but we only saw 3 people on our hike. We were in the clouds, so we had no views, but it was still a beautiful hike. The fir trees smelled amazing. I really enjoyed seeing the fall foliage and autumn blooming flowers. Krumm got a chance to play at the water crossings, and we also let him off leash for a few minutes at the campsite (where there was a sign suggesting it's not a good idea to camp there due to bear activity).
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| Common Sneezeweed |
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| Red Spruce |
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| Tape showing the closed trail. |
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| Hairpin turn on the right - this trail is closed too. |
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| We saw many gentians along the sides of the trail. |
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| Hoping for a stick to be thrown at the campground. |
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| Seek calls this bearberry |
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| Back at the trailhead |
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