Ascent of Craggy Dome on 2011-11-25| Date: | Friday, November 25, 2011 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Peak: | Craggy Dome | | Location: | USA-North Carolina | | Elevation: | 6080 ft / 1853 m |
Ascent Trip ReportCraggy Dome is four-tenths of a mile from the Graybeard overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway near MP 363.
To make it a qualifying hike for South Beyond 6000, I started at the next northbound overlook, Glassmine Falls, near MP 361. This is a 5.4-mile round trip with a net climb of 880 feet (5.2 if you return via the BRP, as I did).
Take the Mountain-to-Sea Trail westbound. At 0.7 miles, skirt Locust Knob (bag it with a 50-yard side trip). At 1.0 mile, reach a heath bald with several fine views and crags. At 1.7, cross the shoulder of Bullhead Mountain (a tough little bushwhack I did previously). At 2.3 miles, reach the Graybeard overlook. This is a fun section of the MST, with a wide variety in terrain and flora.
Beyond the Graybeard overlook, continue on the MST westbound, and after about 100 yards, find a well-worn trail on the left--an unmarked junction just before the MST crosses the BRP. This trail is unblazed but easy to follow--at least in November, after the undergrowth has died back. Reach the heath bald at 5900 feet. Just after the trail crests a rocky ridge on the summit, there's a side trail on the R that leads to the actual HP, marked by a rusty old post. Explore a bit to find the best views--especially Craggy Pinnacle and the BRP to the west. The trail appears to continue west toward the Craggy Visitors Center, but I did not go further.
One advantage of this route: If you're running short on daylight (as I was) you can return via the BRP (2.1 miles from Graybeard to Glassmine).
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| Summary Total Data | | Elevation Gain: | 1100 ft / 335 m | | Elevation Loss: | 1100 ft / 335 m | | Distance: | 5.2 mi / 8.4 km | | Quality: | 9 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) | | Weather: | Calm, Clear | | Ascent Statistics | | Elevation Gain: | 1080 ft / 329 m | | Extra Loss: | 200 ft / 60 m | | Distance: | 2.7 mi / 4.3 km | | Route: | MST 2.4 miles, unmarked summit trail 0.3 miles | | Trailhead: | Glassymine Falls overlook, BRP MP 361 5200 ft / 1584 m | | Time Up: | 2 Hours 15 Minutes | | Descent Statistics | | Elevation Loss: | 900 ft / 275 m | | Extra Gain: | 20 ft / 6 m | | Distance: | 2.5 mi / 4 km | | Route: | Return to Graybeard overlook and then walked 2.1 m | | Trailhead: | 5200 ft / 1584 m | | Time Down: | 1 Hours 15 Minutes |
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