Great Craggy Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Craggy Mountains |
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Craggy Pinnacle, viewed from the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Craggy Dome |
| Elevation | 6,105 ft (1,861 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Range coordinates | 35°42′N 82°23′W / 35.700°N 82.383°W |
| Parent range | Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Borders on | Black Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Alleghenian |
The Great Craggy Mountains, often called the Craggies, are a cool mountain range. You can find them in western North Carolina, United States. They are part of the larger Blue Ridge Mountains. This mountain area covers about 194 square miles (503 square kilometers).
The Craggies are located in Buncombe County, North Carolina. They are about 14 miles northeast of Asheville. The Black Mountains are nearby, just to the northeast.
The famous Blue Ridge Parkway winds along the top of these mountains. It offers amazing views between Asheville and Mount Mitchell. One special spot is Craggy Gardens. This area is huge, about 16 square kilometers. In mid-June, it bursts with beautiful purple Catawba rhododendron flowers.
There's a fun hike called the Craggy Pinnacle Overlook trail. It's a moderate walk, about 0.73 miles long. At the end, you reach a stone wall overlook. From there, you get awesome 360-degree views of the mountains. You can find the parking for this trail at milepost 361.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Sometimes, parts of the parkway through the Craggies have to close. This happened in 2012 and 2013 because of heavy rains. The rain caused the ground to sink, which is called subsidence. This made it tricky to get to Mount Mitchell from the south.
What Lives Here: Plants and Animals
The higher parts of the Great Craggies have special types of plant life. You'll find areas called heath balds. These are open, grassy spots covered with rhododendron and blueberry bushes.
There are also northern hardwood forests. These forests are home to trees like beech, buckeye, mountain ash, and red oak. The Craggy Mountains are part of the huge Pisgah National Forest. This means the area is protected and cared for.
Tallest Peaks: Exploring the Craggies
The highest point in the Great Craggy Mountains is a peak called Craggy Dome. It stands tall at 6,105 feet (1,861 meters) above sea level. Many other peaks in the Craggies offer great views and hiking opportunities.
Here are some of the main peaks in the Great Craggy Mountains:
| Peak Name | Elevation | Prominence | Coordinates | Easiest route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craggy Dome | 6,105 ft (1,861 m) | 1,000 ft (305 m) | 35°42′21″N 82°22′00″W / 35.70583°N 82.36667°W | Hike |
| Bullhead Mountain | 5,899 ft (1,798 m) | 320 ft (98 m) | 35°42′59″N 82°21′29″W / 35.71639°N 82.35806°W | Hike |
| Craggy Pinnacle | 5,817 ft (1,773 m) | 233 ft (71 m) | 35°42′12″N 82°22′40″W / 35.70333°N 82.37778°W | Trail |
| Craggy Gardens | 5,525 ft (1,684 m) | 160 ft (49 m) | 35°41′33″N 82°23′05″W / 35.69250°N 82.38472°W | Trail |
| Locust Knob | 5,429 ft (1,655 m) | 35°43′41″N 82°21′02″W / 35.72806°N 82.35056°W | Hike | |
| Snowball Mountain | 5,341 ft (1,628 m) | 440 ft (134 m) | 35°42′07″N 82°24′26″W / 35.70194°N 82.40722°W | Trail |
| Bearpen Knob | 5,266 ft (1,605 m) | 48 ft (15 m) | 35°41′58″N 82°23′38″W / 35.69944°N 82.39389°W | Hike |
| Lane Pinnacle | 5,194 ft (1,583 m) | 590 ft (180 m) | 35°40′52″N 82°25′18″W / 35.68111°N 82.42167°W | Hike |
| Little Snowball Mountain | 4,692 ft (1,430 m) | 320 ft (98 m) | 35°43′12″N 82°25′50″W / 35.72000°N 82.43056°W | Trail |
| Frosty Knob | 4,236 ft (1,291 m) | 1,126 ft (343 m) | 35°44′31″N 82°28′45″W / 35.74194°N 82.47917°W | Hike |
| Beaucatcher Mountain | 2,694 ft (821 m) | 35°36′19″N 82°32′17″W / 35.60528°N 82.53806°W | Auto Road |
