Other Map ID: BRP MP 407.6
The Buck Spring itself is located beside the parkway where the road for Mount Pisgah parking area turns off. It is inside a small A-frame building, barely visible through the trees. The ridgeline trail named after it has two access points - the Pisgah Inn parking area at milepost 407.6, and the Mt. Pisgah Trail parking at milepost 406.5. Traveling from the Mt. Pisgah parking area, you will shortly pass an overlook of the Mills River valley, and then pass through the site of George W. Vanderbilt's Buck Springs Lodge. There are some interpretive signs and another overlook here, and then the trail plunges back into the forest of spruces and firs, northern hardwoods, and tunnels of rhododendron. The trail is moderately steep and wet in places, with some roots and rocks. The trail intersects the Laurel Moutain and Pilot Rock trails - both which continue onto National Forest land. Further along, there are some more views off to the left before the trail descends moderately from the edge of Little Bald Mountain to the Pisgah Inn. One notable aspect of the Buck Springs trail is the large number of remaining American Chestnut trees. Some specimens along this trail reach relatively great heights of 40' or more before dying back. In fact, both the tallest and thickest living American chestnuts I've seen grow right beside this trail. In other places, the entire understory is almost nothing but chestnut saplings. Will this be where a blight-resistant, totally natural strain of American Chestnut will eventually develop? Only time will tell.
Other Map ID: BRP MP 422.4
This steep, but half-paved, path leads to the top of the spectacular Devil's Courthouse. It travels through a high-elevation, spruce-fir forest. At the summit, stakes in the rocks allow you to align your views and identify nearby peaks and landmarks. This used to be a popular rock climbing destination, but has been closed due to the fragile habitat that exists on and around the rock cliffs. Stay within the marked overlook - it's a 200' sheer drop over the edge!
Other Map ID: BRP MP 408.5
Besides having one of the most interesting names on the Parkway, Frying Pan Mountain has a fire tower on top which hikers can climb for excellent views in all directions. It's a great place to see Mount Pisgah's profile as well as Cold Mountain and Looking Glass Rock. The trail is actually an old road bed sometimes used by park vehicles to access the towers.
Other Map ID: BRP MP 397.3
Other Map ID: BRP MP 418.8
This loop travels through a unique, high-elevation, flat valley to a spectacular cascading waterfall. Braided streams, open valleys, short high-elevation forests, rhododendron & galax groves, clear pools. See Also the Graveryard Fields Best Hike.
Trails Illustrated Map Number: 92
Best Hike Using This Trail
Pictures
HikeWNC Map
Map on TopoZone
A classic Blue Ridge Parkway hike. Travels from the Mount Pisgah parking area along a gently climbing, moderately rocky trail until it gains the ridgeline; then gets steeper with rougher tread condtions. Hardwood forest of mostly oaks with a few spruces and firs. Observation deck at the 5,721' summit near transmission tower for WLOS TV channel 13 of Asheville. Views from SC border to the South to Asheville and Mount Mitchell to the North.
