Target: Balsam Cone
Type: Highpoint
State: North Carolina

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The Pisgah is a Forest near and dear to my heart. I used to live right beside it and have spent many days and nights wandering it’s hills and valleys. This is an ancient range and it feels that way. Most of the forest is second of third growth, but the intense moisture and riotous greenery give little indication of that.

My goal is Balsam Cone, one of the 6000ers, the highest peaks on the East Coast. Mt. Mitchell is the highest and is only a mile or so away from Balsam in space, yet light years in personality. Mitchell is a State Park and has a parking lot at the top. Someone added a concrete monstrosity at the very peak for ‘views.’ I could park there, hike an easy mile or two and be at Balsam, but I want to come at it from the Forest, giving myself a chance to get into the spirit of the thing.

Colbert Ridge Trail is about three and half miles of steep terrain. That connects to a ridgeline trail called Deep Gap Trail for another two and half miles of more reasonable ups and downs. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the Appalachians and while there are some long range views, the most stunning are simply the forest itself. There are dozens of vibrant shades of green setting stark contrasts to the gray stone and white and brown bark of the manifold trees.

I don’t see anyone else most of the way up. As I get close to Balsam I start to meet some people coming the other way, from Mitchell. The State Park is closed and supposedly there are heavy fines for ‘trespassing’, whatever that means in the context of public lands. I talk a little with some of the passersby, but most everyone coming from that direction is a bit cagey which suits me fine.

The actual peak of Balsam is pretty anti-climactic. It’s a small double hump with a decent view and the actual highest point is in State Park land (and only about five feet higher). I’m once again faced with questions about goals and purposes. The State Park is closed and I want to respect that, but the higher point is only steps away. Then again, am I here for a high point, or am I here to experience the Forest? I’ve always felt that peakbaggers missed the point anyways, subjugating their desire to climb to their desire to summit, but that’s just me being elitist. However, if I specifically reject the higher point then aren’t I also making a statement? I don’t want to make statements, I just want to walk in the woods.

Ultimately it’s the closure that decides. I might not agree with it, but I choose to respect it and if I were to cross that boundary it would be a whole slew of compromises that I would rather not have to untangle in my philosophies. It’s afternoon as I head down the mountain, the weather is warm and the breeze is cool. I wander off into the woods to find a campsite. The next day I’ll hike some more, just exploring the area and enjoying the alone time.