Black Balsam Knob

Black Balsam Knob,[2] also known as Black Balsam Bald, is in the Pisgah National Forest southwest of Asheville, North Carolina, near milepost 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is the second highest mountain[3] in the Great Balsam Mountains. The Great Balsams are within the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains. It is the 23rd highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina over 6000 feet.[4]

Black Balsam Knob
Black Balsam Knob as seen at sunrise from Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 419 in autumn.
Highest point
Elevation6,214 ft (1,894 m) [1]
Prominence989 ft (301 m) [1]
Coordinates35°19′40″N 82°52′27″W [2]
Geography
LocationHaywood County, North Carolina, U.S.
Parent rangeGreat Balsam Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Shining Rock
Climbing
Easiest routeHike

The top of the mountain is a grassy bald that affords a panoramic view. The origin of grassy balds in southern Haywood county is a result of extensive clear-cut logging and locomotive fires in 1925 and 1942.[5] These fires burned deep down into the mineral-rich topsoil slowing reforestation or stopping it altogether. Examples of this can also be found on many of its neighboring peaks and ridges. These features contribute to the area's popularity, but foot traffic also causes some ecological damage to the ecosystem. The Art Loeb Trail follows the grassy ridge of Black Balsam Knob.

Visible peaks from Black Balsam Knob include:

  • View of summit of Black Balsam Knob covered by early morning spring haze.
  • On summit of Black Balsam Knob during early morning spring haze.
  • Shining Rock 3 miles in the distance as seen from Black Balsam Knob.
  • Looking Glass Rock 5 miles in the distance as seen from Black Balsam Knob.
  • Mount Pisgah 9.5 miles in the distance as seen from Black Balsam Knob.
  • View from Black Balsam Knob
  • Summit of Black Balsam Knob
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See also

References
  1. "Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  2. "Black Balsam Knob". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  3. "Southern Appalachian 6000-foot Peaks". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  4. "The Tallest Mountains in the Eastern U.S." Archived from the original on 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  5. "Northcarolinaoutdoors.com". Northcarolinaoutdoors.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
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