Elk Knob: A Quick Hike on the “Fly”

How We Found It: The old-fashioned way – Google. This hike is also featured in the ever useful 100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina.

Date and Distance Hiked: 7/21/13, 3.8 miles.

Good Seasons: all of them. Winter would only be a problem after a big snow or ice storm.

Find the Trailhead: The park is in Todd, and the NC State Parks website has good directions to get there. From Boone, take 194 N towards Todd, go 4 miles and turn left on Meat Camp Road, and drive 5.5 miles to the park entrance.

The trailhead can’t be missed at the end of the parking area.

Map: Map stand at the trailhead. The NC State Parks website above has a basic map PDF as well.

Bathroom Situation: Pit toilet station near the picnic area.

Fees (Where/How Much): Free.

Our Route: Summit Trail (in-and-back).

Of Interest: Gain 900′ in 1.9 miles to reach the second highest peak in Watauga County at 5,520′.

Cool plants, like yellow birch trees and wildflowers like bee balm, spiderwort and Carolina lilies. Apparently this mountain is made of nutrient-rich metamorphic amphibolite, which promotes exciting biodiversity.

This newer NC State Park sits on the North Carolina-Tennessee border.

What Nobody Told Us before We Went:

• Fly problem at the summit. Big one. Even though the weather cool and breezy – a nice departure from July summer heat in Charlotte – the flies were out in force at the summit. Ew. Shawn did this hike again in August, and the flies were still there.

• The trail winds back and forth over an old road / ATV trail, which is steep and unmaintained.

Hike Highlights:

• Beautiful vistas at the top. Brush off the flies and take the time to check out both “South” and “North” views. The day we hiked was foggy, but on a clear day, you should be able to glimpse Howard’s Knob, Sugar Mountain, Hanging Rock, Mount Mitchell, Roan Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Rodgers, Black Mountain, Pilot Mountain, and more.

• It would be hard to get lost on this trail or miss the trailhead, since it’s a small park. It’s also one of North Carolina’s newest State Parks, so the trail is brand new with markings at each half mile. More trails will eventually be blazed through this park, which will be a treat.