A steady, moderate climb up on Youngs Ridge Trail will take you to Kitsuma Peak where, on a good day, you’ll have views of the eastern ridges including Mt. Mitchell. Then it’s all the way down first to Swannanoa Gap on the Kitsuma PeakTrail, then to Ridgecrest Conference Center. You’ll take Old US 70, now an abandoned road, which was the way up the mountain before I-40 was built. The railroad line, visible from  the trail, is still active and goes through numerous tunnels.

Length: 10.1 miles

Altitude gain: 1,550 ft.

Map: Linville Gorge/Mount Mitchell National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map #779

Trailhead: From Old Fort, take US 70 west. Make a right on Mill Creek Rd. at the Andrews Geyser sign. At 2.6 miles, turn left into the picnic area. The parking area is 0.1 mile farther.

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