Buncombe County High Point Trip Report

Potato Knob

Author: Ron Tagliapietra

We parked at the Ridge Junction Overlook at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 355.4 (at an elevation of 5160 ft.). This is in Black Mtn. Gap adjacent to the intersection with Mt. Mitchell spur road (every NC HP visitor who comes by car passes through this gap). This parking spot offers hikes to two county HPs.

For Potato Knob, the Buncombe Co. HP, climb the ridge to the west following the Mountains to Sea trail for the first half mile and then departing where the Mountains to Sea departs the ridge to the left to contour around the mountain. From here the unmaintained trail climbs 3/4 mi. more to the top. You will find more on this in my book The Southern Sixers since the recommended peakbaggers route for Mt. Gibbes crosses Potato Knob.