December 31, 2014
Gracie and I set out to summit Blackrock Mountain outside of Sylva, N.C. We started at the Pinnacle Park entrance and took the West Fork trail towards Blackrock. The trail is wide and somewhat steep for over 2.7 miles. The trail levels off for .7 miles, weaving through beautiful rhododendron and azalea thickets. After 3.4 miles the trail bifurcates and proceeds for .6 miles up a steep and narrow climb to Blackrock. Galax and evergreens are plentiful as the altitude increases to over 5,000 feet. The summit consists of a rock outcropping and the views are outstanding. One is able to see the whole of the Plott Balsams, the Great Balsams and the peaks of the Smoky Mountains. Elevation is 5,810 feet. We descended 4.3 miles on the steep East Fork Trail to the parking lot.
Total mileage is 8.3 miles.
sweetwilder 