High Peaks Leads Moderate Hike Feb. 17

HIKE RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY, FEB. 24

Hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a moderate hike of four miles on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail on Saturday, Feb. 24.

The outing will go from Buck Creek Gap (NC 80) on the MST to Singecat Overlook, a round-trip of about four miles. There will be an option to hike part-way on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which would add another 1.5 miles to the hike.

High Peaks Installs Bear Boxes For Camper Safety Near Mt. Mitchell

The N.C. High Peaks Trail Association recently purchased, donated and installed two bear-proof steel food storage boxes at Commissary Ridge, a popular backcountry camping spot on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail not far from the Mt. Mitchell summit.

The roughly 3-foot-square, 330-pound boxes have bear-proof door latches that should enable campers to store food and other bear-attractive personal items locked away from the prying claws and powerful noses of the area’s black bears. 

John Whitehouse Honored for Trail Work

Pensacola resident and High Peaks founder John Whitehouse was recently honored with the Carolina Mountain Club’s Distinguished Service Award for his tireless commitment to maintaining and improving the area’s hiking trails.

“Few have done as much for our trails,” said longtime CMC member Rocko Smucker, who nominated Whitehouse for the award and made the presentation at the Asheville-based club’s annual dinner. “John is an outstanding leader and mentor. He gets people involved because he’s such a pleasure to be around.”