Picnic–Deep Gap, 5 sights is a 15.4-mile out-and-back in Mount Mitchell State Park near Hamrick, NC. The route passes Deep Gap and Picnic. It climbs 5,615 ft, with sections as steep as 38% grade. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi2,749 – 6,644 ft · steepest grade: 38%15.7 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Colbert Ridge Trail 35.80651, -82.20561
Nearest town Hamrick, NC
Directions
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Picnic–Deep Gap, 5 sights
15.4 mi · ▲ 5,615 ft · 7 hr 56 min
Elevation 2,750–6,643 ft
Out & Back · Mount Mitchell State Park
Trailhead: Colbert Ridge Trail · 35.80651, -82.20561
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Colbert Ridge Trail, heading NW.
- 3.7 miBear left onto Black Mountain Crest Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miPass Deep Gap.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Black Mountain Crest, heading S.
- 3.6 miPass Picnic.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Mountain Mountain Crest, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 300 ftBear left onto Balsam Nature Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miReach Picnic, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading NW.
- 250 ftBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftBear right onto Mountain Mountain Crest, heading NW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Black Mountain Crest, heading NW.
- 3.6 miContinue straight onto Black Mountain Crest Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Colbert Ridge Trail, heading N.
- 3.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
50% dirt1% paved49% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 7:04 AMSunset 7:54 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.7 mi in (~180 min). Leave by 4:33 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Colbert Ridge Trail Trailhead
- Ogle Rock–Deep Gap, 4 sights 12.6 mi · ▲ 3,864 ft
- Horse Rock & Colbert Ridge Trail via Black Mountain Crest Trail 12.6 mi · ▲ 4,175 ft
- Maple Camp Bald–Deep Gap, 5 sights 13.6 mi · ▲ 5,230 ft
- Mount Mitchell–Picnic, 5 sights 15 mi · ▲ 5,700 ft
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Hikes near Hamrick, North Carolina