Black Mountain Recreation announces return of fall hike series

Free program takes residents to trails during peak leaf season

The Valley Echo
September 20, 2022

Hikers participating in the Black Mountain Recreation Department’s 2021 Fall Peaks Hiking Series explore a colorful view as they trek to Craggy Pinnacle. Photo courtesy of BMRP

A free series of hikes, hosted by the Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department, that takes local residents to area trails during peak leaf season is returning next month.

Registration for the Fall Peaks Hiking Series, which includes 10 treks to summits, including Blue Ridge Pinnacle, Hawkbill Rock and Rocky Knob throughout October and early November, is available at https://bmrp.recdesk.com/Community/Program. 

This year’s series will consist of hikes that follow the peak leaf season based on elevation. Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 5, the first hike will take place at the high elevation of 5,665 feet, at Blue Ridge Pinnacle. The remaining hikes in the series will slowly descend in elevation as the fall colors move from the high peaks to the valleys.

BMRP added four additional hikes to capture the best fall colors in the area. The 2022 series will also feature new trails on various weekdays and weekends to better accommodate hikers’ schedules.

The 2022 Fall Peaks Series will consist of the following hikes (elevations listed in parenthesis):

Wednesday, Oct. 5: Blue Ridge Pinnacle (5665ft)
Friday, Oct. 7: Little Butt Mountain (5620ft)
Wednesday, Oct. 12: Hawkbill Rock (4960ft)
Saturday, Oct. 15: Walker’s Knob (4780ft)
Wednesday, Oct. 19: Bearwallow Mountain (4232ft)
Friday, Oct. 21: Woods Mountain (3250ft)
Wednesday, Oct. 26: Rocky Knob (3100ft)
Saturday, Oct. 29: Glassy Mountain (2783ft)
Wednesday, Nov. 2: Gateway Trails (1500ft)
Friday, Nov. 4: Lake James (1000ft)

The maximum group size for each hike is 15, and this year’s Fall Peaks Hiking Series is sponsored by Four Sisters Bakery in Black Mountain. For more information, contact BMRP at 828-669-2052 or email Recreation Coordinator, Clint Bowman, at Clint.Bowman@tobm.org.