This trail is located directly off the Mt. Mitchell Trail. It is the path that the famous Mountains-to-Sea Trail follows and is blazed with white circles.

The trail breaks off to the left of the Mt. Mitchell Trail after about 1.5 miles. It gently climbs to Higgins Bald where foundations from an old cabin site can be seen. Several campgrounds are in this area with established fire rings. A stream is nearby to obtain water. The trail winds through beautiful red spruce. The trail rejoins the blue-blazed Mt. Mitchell Trail after 1.3 miles. The junction is well marked and is near Setrock Creek.

Directions: From Burnsville, NC, Begin on the Mt. Mitchell Trail. Travel east on US 19E for about 4.3 miles to an access road to SR 80. Turn right (south) and travel .6 mile and turn right again on SR 80 (south). Follow this road for 11.6 miles to the Mt. Mitchell golf course and turn right on Forest Service Road 472. This road changes to gravel. After it changes, you will arrive at an intersection at which you can go straight or take a right. Turn right on this road (Forest Service Road 472). Go past Black Mountain Campground and a parking lot on the left that has a bulletin board with trail maps and information. Park here. This is the trailhead.

Elevation: 4,870 feet

Elevation Gain: 410 feet

Distance: 1.3 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

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