Mount Mitchell Tallest Peak East of Mississippi River
Mount Mitchell – the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River – isn’t much higher than the Mile High city of Denver. Even so, I felt on top of the world. Mountain ranges rolled like waves toward the horizon, and clouds hovered in the sky. I could see for miles in every direction.
Like any good mountain, it requires you to drive up winding roads and then hike up the last stretch to the summit. The hike didn’t make my lungs crave oxygen or my thighs burn from exertion like Colorado’s Mt. Evans does. And, frankly, I was glad for that.
Mount Mitchell provides a great recreation break when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. In the park’s little museum, you can get acquainted with the local flora, fauna and mountain folk – namely Big Tom. He and his wife Niagara raised 11 children in these mountains. Big Tom gained enough fame – probably from shooting some 114 black bears in his lifetime – to have a peak named after him.
