ason takes in an early morning view along the 11.5-mile Black Mountain Crest Trail, which holds five out of the top 10 highest peaks in the East.
Jonathan StClair (front) and Jason Taft joined writer Eric Heistand to run a route dubbed the BlackBurn, a 40-mile trail system that links the Black Mountain Crest Trail with Big Butt Trail, crossing through Yancey, Buncombe, and Madison counties.
Reaching 6,580 feet, Big Tom Peak is named for Thomas Wilson, a famed guide and hunter noted for finding the body of Dr. Elisha Mitchell, Mt. Mitchell’s namesake, in 1857.
From left, Jonathan, Eric, and Jason pause for an early refuel and photo atop Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the East at 6,684 feet.
A geodetic survey marker atop Winter Star Mountain, which rises to 6,212 feet along the Black Mountain Crest Trail
