Distance
0.9 mi to summit
2.8 mi total
Elevation
3,048 ft start
3,613 ft max
Vertical
431 ft gain
Time
55 min to summit
1 hr 32 min total
Lon and I hiked the Appalachian Trail Approach Trail from Nimblewill Gap to the high point of the trail on Black Mountain, then we did a light to moderate bushwhack up the northwest ridge. On the way back down we found an easier bushwhack route than the way we went up. The trick is to keep right going up and keep left going down to avoid the tallest and thickest briars. Much easier than I thought it would be on this last full day of winter.
Route name
out-and-back
Obstacles
routefinding, bushwhacking
Key gear
trekking poles
