Apologies to the late John Denver for paraphrasing his famous hit song. But I couldn’t help but thinking of him when I found myself on the highest peak on the east coast this past week.
Lynndee just shared with y’all her take on the visit we made to Mount Mitchell State Park last week. And now it’s my turn.
I have to admit that this was my first trip ever to this spot, though it’s only 35-miles from my hometown of Asheville. Well, that’s in a kinda-sorta way. Several years ago I actually played at the Mount Mitchell Golf Club which lies at the base of this mountain, and it was an awe inspiring experience. The scenery itself made it hard to keep my mind on my game.
What was so cool is that this time, I found myself looking down in the valley seeing sand traps and golf greens staring up at me instead of it being me down there staring up at the sky-high peak of the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. Granted, 6,684 feet makes it a baby compared to most of those mounts in the Colorado Rockies. And as far as the tallest peaks in the United States, the top ten are in Alaska, the tallest being Denali at 20,310 feet.
I’ve certainly never been that high up in the air, but I have had the opportunity to be at the level of 14, 115 feet high, standing on the 39th highest peak in the continental U.S., Pikes Peak.
Mount Mitchell is named in honor of Elisha Mitchell (August 19, 1793 – June 27, 1857). Mitchell was a professor at the University of North Carolina, beginning his career teaching math and natural philosophy, later transferring to science, especially geology, which would occupy his interest the rest of his life.
Doing a geographical survey of North Carolina in 1828, Mitchell observed a peak in the Black Mountains that he thought was higher than Grandfather Mountain, thought to be the highest in the region at the time.
In 1835, using barometric pressure readings and mathematical formulas, Mitchell figured the highest elevation to be 6,476 feet, higher than that of Grandfather Mountain. But on subsequent visits in in 1838 and 1844, he came up with a measurement of 6,672 feet, only 12 feet off the actual height of 6,684 feet by modern calculations, also making it higher than New Hampshire’s Mount Washington giving it the highest height in the eastern U.S.
Unfortunately, on returning to the Black Mountains and making a hike, he fell to his death from a cliff over a 40-foot waterfall. That led to the peak being named in his honor after the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed his measurements which had been challenged by a former student of his. Originally buried here in my hometown of Asheville, he was re-interred in a tomb at the peak of the mountain the year following his death.
We’re surrounded by history, if only we bother to look. And this history was basically almost right in my own backyard, and it has been such a joy to learn the story of this man and the mountain he brought to prominence.
What a gorgeous park. I’ve always liked state parks. I really need to go to the ones near here.
I would love to lose myself there. Not really. That would be scary. But I would love to visit and enjoy it for days. I love the great outdoors.
Another wonderful place to visit! I love to see these posts, I have a bucket list now!
I love seeing all these state parks in neighboring states. I’m adding them all to my bucket list.
This looks like a gorgeous state park. I would love to visit with my family.
I enjoyed learning about Elijah Mitchell, but it is sad that he died there. I always thought that Mount Washington is the highest point in the Eastern United States, so I learned several things today in this post!
Wow those views look incredible! I would love to visit this place.
I’m a little too far from the area but thanks, I will definitely add this to my bucket list.
Visiting Mount Mitchell State Park is one of my to do’s as soon as I can go back to travel again. This place is wonderful.
What awesome views! I can’t wait to head away to a local reservoir for a small honeymoon. It’s something like this but sadly the weather won’t be as nice.
The views look so stunning! I can’t wait to travel more in 2021. Fingers crossed!
What a beautiful place! What a wonderful view! A must visit place for sure!
I wonder what the scenery looks like if you’re at the top of the mountain! It’s really beautiful!
My brother in law lives in Asheville, NC. I am going to visit Mount Mitchell State Park next time I visit him. Looks perfect for quarentine.
Looks like a wonderful place to visit. I love the view too. It is such a beautiful view! This would certainly be a wonderful place for my family to visit someday.
Oh my gosh the view is breathtaking. This is what we need after all of this pandemic going on. Breathe fresh air and enjoy the environment. Mount Mitchell is amazing.
Beautiful views. The honorary name is sad. I am thinking of John Denver music now. Been a minute. My mom loved him. 🙂
Gorgeous park. That view is really breathtaking. Such a great place to visit with the family. Looks like you had fun!
This state park looks so gorgeous! I love how you can see the beautiful panorama from above!