Black Balsam Knob facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Balsam Knob |
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Black Balsam Knob as seen at sunrise from Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 419 in autumn.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,214 ft (1,894 m) |
| Prominence | 989 ft (301 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Haywood County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Parent range | Great Balsam Mountains Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Shining Rock |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Black Balsam Knob, also known as Black Balsam Bald, is a cool mountain found in the Pisgah National Forest. It's located southwest of Asheville, North Carolina, close to milepost 420 on the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. This mountain is the second highest in the Great Balsam Mountains. These mountains are part of the larger Blue Ridge Mountains, which are themselves part of the huge Appalachian Mountains. Black Balsam Knob is also one of North Carolina's tallest mountains, standing over 6,000 feet high. It's the 23rd highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina that are over 6,000 feet tall.
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Exploring Black Balsam Knob
The very top of Black Balsam Knob is a special kind of area called a grassy bald. This means it's a wide-open, grassy space with no trees, giving you amazing views all around!
Why is it a Grassy Bald?
Long ago, in 1925 and 1942, there was a lot of logging and big fires caused by trains in this area. These fires burned so deeply into the ground that it made it very hard for new trees to grow back. This is why Black Balsam Knob and some nearby peaks still have these unique grassy tops.
Hiking and Nature
The open, grassy areas make Black Balsam Knob a very popular spot for hikers. However, with many people visiting, it's important to be careful not to harm the natural environment. The Art Loeb Trail is a famous hiking path that goes right along the grassy ridge of Black Balsam Knob.
What You Can See from the Top
From the summit of Black Balsam Knob, you can see many other cool mountains in the distance. On a clear day, the views are incredible!
Here are some peaks you might spot:
- Shining Rock in the Shining Rock Wilderness (about 3 miles northeast)
- Looking Glass Rock (about 5 miles southeast)
- Cold Mountain (about 6 miles north)
- Mount Pisgah (about 9.5 miles northeast)
- Mount Mitchell: On very clear days, you might even see Mount Mitchell, which is the highest point in the Eastern United States! It's about 45 miles to the northeast.
Images for kids
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View of summit of Black Balsam Knob covered by early morning spring haze.
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On summit of Black Balsam Knob during early morning spring haze.
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Shining Rock 3 miles in the distance as seen from Black Balsam Knob.
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Looking Glass Rock 5 miles in the distance as seen from Black Balsam Knob.
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Mount Pisgah 9.5 miles in the distance as seen from Black Balsam Knob.
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View from Black Balsam Knob
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Summit of Black Balsam Knob
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Black Balsam in the Fall
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Black Balsam in late Summer
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Panorama in the Fall
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View at Black Balsam
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View from the peak of Black Balsam
