backpacking North Carolina in winter

Hey all,I am from NC and almost all of my backpacking is done in winter..But i can never find anyone who shares my love for winter backpacking..Any ideas? Thank you,wntrhkr

I would love to do some winter backpacking in the mountains, but I live five hours away; makes it tough. Our scout troop usually does backpacking outings from November to February also.

Am i the only North Carolina winter Backpacker?? I think not.It may be where i go in the winter...Only the highest NC has to offer,And in the coldest temps..I love to suffer..But the photos i get are hard to beat..

Sorry, I usually go where there are real mountains. Just kidding. I am in Utah and tend to stay here for winter fun.

Yea..I hear ya..hehe...I would love to climb some real mountain.Go above tree line..Your lucky..

I share your interest in winter backpacking in the mountains of NC, and also understand your quest to find the highest points where the temps are the coldest and the snow sometimes deep enough to stall out a trip. There's nothing better than winter backpacking.

Great....I thought i was the only one in NC that did the cold weather thing..Keep in touch and will do a trip this winter..

I'm into winter backpacking! I'd like go on a trip in NC, where should I go? I'm planning a trip to the Linville Gorge in October.

Calloway peak on grandfather mountain is a good place..The gorge is nice also but harder to get in snow and ice..Let me know when you r coming down..

I do many trips in the NC mountains in the winter. I suggest Mt. Mitchell if your looking for some intense snow hiking. I hiked it 2 years ago during "snowmageddon" 2009 and it was amazing. Above 6000' we had snow drifts of 4 feet which is deep for NC. I hiked every inch of trail one weekend last January at Grandfather mtn. which is really nice too. Most of the trail up around Calloway and McCray's peak was solid ice.

The Linville Gorge is my #1 place to hike. I was up there last weekend and it was really hot around 90 degrees. Makes you wish for snow haha. That place can be borderline dangerous in deep winter conditions.

If your looking for some punishing winter backpacking I suggest the BMCT (Black Mountain crest trail). Its been called the "toughest" trail on the East coast. I hiked the 22 mile round trip route two weeks ago. It has several 6000'+ mountains and the trail is pretty rugged. In winter it'd be a 3-4 day hike due to the rugged nature and altitude of the trail.

Love the gorge,I've spent many a nites on the rim..Mostly Hawksbill..Never been on the BMCT trail..I did do 5 weeks on the AT in jan-feb of 01 in the GSMNP..I'M ON TOP OF THE WORLD. Not really,but thats what it felt like..

My October trip to the gorge is on hold. I'm going to doctor Tuesday and he'll likely tell me I'm have surgery on my knee. Oh well. One day I'll hike that place.

This is slightly of topic but you mentioned Calloway Peak. I am thinking about taking this hike (via the Daniele Boone Scout Trail) in November with some friends. We would be spreading the hike out over two days to enjoy the scenery.

I am not very familiar with the mountain and was hoping you could share some of your knowledge. Is this trail generally crowded in November? I know that the weather can be unpredictable there, have you had any experience with Nov. weather? I have had a lot of hiking/camping experience but am bringing a friend along for her first overnight hiking trip.
Any suggestions of other places for an overnight trip (<10 miles) are also welcome!
Thanks!

The trail can be crowded most any weekend. If you want to avoid the crowds go during the week. November weather brings cold temps and possibly snow/ice later in the month and at high elevations, like Calloway peak. check out Grandfather Mountain's webiste, Grandfather Mountain. I would pay close attention to the weather forecast before your trip just to be sure. One of my favorite hikes is from NC 105 over Calloway peak to NC 221 and back over again. Its tough but very cool. Keep in mind that there are ladders you have to climb up so if its really icy I might want to avoid it and hike the Profile trail instead off of NC 105. Its a great hike though. Have fun!!