MST: NC 215 to Black Balsam Knob Rd

Breathtaking views like this make the Mountains to Sea Trail a rewarding escape. I reached this spot on the trail just a few miles in from the trailhead. When I sat down and looked out, I was amazed at how the scenery was changing before my eyes – better than any motion picture. The movement of the mist and the sun breaking through revealed a kaleidoscope of greens and blues that I did not know existed. Soon I began noticing mountains behind mountains that I had not been able to see just a few minutes before. The view above is located on the MST about 2.9 miles (east) of the trailhead at NC 215.

To reach the trailhead, take NC 215 North (toward Canton) off of the BRP. You will find a small parking area on the left hand side of the road about 0.4 mile North on NC 215. The MST crosses the road here (where the trail leaves the Middle Prong Wilderness Area to the west). You will find the trailheads just around the corner from the parking area.

From NC 215 to Black Balsam Knob Rd trailhead is 4.3 miles. I hiked this trail out and back for a total of 8.6 miles. I was extremely blessed this summer afternoon to have some overcast skies and a slight breeze. This was one of my favorite summer hikes.

I had been limited by hikes lately due to the intense heat, but due to the large amount of tree cover and the rich vegetation, this hike was very comfortable.

It was also pleasant to hike in an area that was not over populated. Just north on the Blue Ridge Parkway, areas like Black Balsam, Graveyard Fields and Skinny Dip Falls can get overcrowded during the summer. For some reason, very few people were hiking on this section.

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The hike itself is moderate to difficult – depending on the weather. We had recently experienced a lot of thunderstorms and many places on the trail were muddy. Avoiding wet, muddy areas and exposed roots could pose a risk if you’re not careful.

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What made this hike so enjoyable and memorable was the continuous change in scenery.

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In just over 4 miles, I was amazed at how many different types of forests and vegetation that I was able to experience – from Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron canopies and endless pine forests to mossy – fern covered creek crossings.

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I met only one other group hiking during this trip. That is surprising because this section of the MST actually meets up with a few other trails during the hike, including the Devil’s Courthouse Connector; the Little Sam and the Art Loeb. If you are interested in doing something more adventurous than an out-and-back, it is possible to use some of these to hike a loop. Also, the Art Loeb trail is just over 30 miles long and it traverses many of the peaks and ridges in this area. If you are curious about the Art Loeb, you can find more info. here.

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Once again, I truly enjoyed this hike in the woods. It had been a stressful work week, and there are times that all of us feel like we are being pulled in many different directions – sometimes it’s difficult to find the right path when there are so many voices vying for your attention. With that in mind, I would like to leave you with this quote:

“A man must find time for himself. Time is what we spend our lives with. If we are not careful we find others spending it for us. . . ” Carl Sandburg