HIGH TOP
The Johnsons joined Saucony and I on a cold winter's day last weekend for a hike. We met near Hickory and carpooled from there to the YMCA conference center near Black Mountain. It was well below freezing when we reached the parking lot. The Johnsons were well-prepared though, sporting long underwear and polartec fleece. I started out in my usual 3-season clothes - nylon pants and long sleeved shirt.
After the usual confusion, we found the correct road, which leads to the trails. After a short distance, we left the heavily traveled route to High Windy in favor of the Wolfpit Loop Trail. This consisted of a gravel road. We reached the well-house and the junction we were looking for. We turned onto an unmarked but obvious jeep road, which crossed a bridge over a small stream. We then reached a sign, which stated "High Top, Difficult". It looked difficult on the topo map. By difficult, I mean one straight line (the trail) crossing lots of tightly spaced curved lines. My estimate was that we'd climb 1600' over the next mile.
We started up a rough, rocky, eroded footpath. Soon we reached another sign, stating that the trail ahead was dangerous and to continue at our own risk. We stopped briefly for a photo and then pressed on.
At first the trail was steep, but then it became vertical. The final 1/4 mile literally went straight up. We worked our way up slowly, using hand and foot holds. Fortunately there were plenty of both. After an hour and a half, we had reached the top of the cliffs. From the exposed rocks we had a great view of the Black Mountains (including Mount Mitchell), the Craggy Mountains, and the Blue Ridge. The town of Black Mountain was far below us, and Asheville could be seen in the distance. Across from us the icy blue water of Burnette Reservoir was visible.
It was actually beginning to warm a little in the sun as we enjoyed lunch. After eating, we followed first a trail and then an old road along a ridgeline. This eventually led to the grassy summit of High Windy. We had a short break here, and enjoyed more great views.
We continued on, curving around to the west. We reached the point where the High Windy Trail heads back down to the valley. It was only mid-afternoon though, so we decided to explore. There was one more prominent peak along the ridge ahead of us. The map labeled it Jesse's High Top. We decided to try for it.
Initially the going was easy, as we followed a trail to the old Mica Pit. The Mica Pit was disappointing, but I was happy to find a faint path leading through the rhododendron beyond it. Soon we were bushwhacking through open forest, but an old barbed wire fence helped us keep our bearings. Soon we climbed another steep hill. At the top we found a grassy opening surrounded by trees. An old road continued ahead towards another peak. In the other direction, it dropped steeply back towards Black Mountain.
We wanted to explore further, but time was running short. Then, we heard something, or some things, moving through the woods. Saucony gave chase, but I thought I glimpsed a bird (a wild turkey?) launch itself high into a tree. We headed that direction, and Saucony entertained us by circling and pawing at the tree.
We never spotted the bird, and eventually headed for home. The hike back was much less exciting than the climb up. We reached the car before 5, which gave us plenty of time for dinner at My Father's Pizza in Black Mountain. We're looking forward to a return trip, and the opportunity to explore the area around Jesse's High Top further.
Back to North Carolina's Black Mountains
Back to North Carolina
Back to Hiking and Backpacking Trip Reports
Please remember to Leave No Trace!