Black Dome Challenge | Overnight Bikepacking

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Woodfin, NC, US

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Route Overview

Rockgeist - Bikepack USA

Bikepacking Routes

102 mi.

9,776 ft.

Black Dome Challenge starts with a wheel dip in the French Broad River then climbs up to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain on the East Coast. Camp out at the summit then continue along the Blue Ridge Parkway the next morning. Your scenic tour of Western NC continues as you bike through Marion, Old Fort, Black Mountain, and finally conclude your trip by traveling though Asheville's River Arts District.

View the entire route description at https://rockgeist.com/routes/blackdomechallenge/

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Route Details

The trip starts at the [Rockgeist workshop](http://www.rockgeist.com) in Woodfin, just a few miles north of downtown Asheville. (Please email bikepack@rockgeist.com to coordinate overnight parking at the workshop.) There is a great coffee shop next to the workshop right on the French Broad River; so grab your coffee and dip your rear wheel in the River for the official start. Its all uphill from here as you bike up @slice[Elk Mountain Rd](d,207.89,2802.03)
and make your way over to @slice[Webb Cove Rd](d,9311.77,13996.59), which is the start of a smooth gravel climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The climbing has just begun as your make your way through the tunnels, pass countless vistas, and arrive at the @poi[Craggy Gardens Visitor Center](74063450) for the first water re-supply. Fill up your bottles then continue on to the entrance of the Mount Mitchell State Park. Don’t get too excited as you see the Park’s entrance; it’s another @slice[4 miles up to the summit](d,49420.85,64294.45).

Before arriving at the summit you’ll first pass the visitors center, restaurant, and camping area. You’ll need to walk the last 80 yards to the top but the journey is well worth the views that await. For camping you have two options. Reserve (well) in advance for camping at the summit, sites 5 and 6 have the best views to the East, with site 5 having the best hammock set up. The next morning descend back to the Parkway where you’ll soon arrive at the @slice[Curtis Creek gravel descent](d,77007.56,94265.48) into Old Fort. Along Curtis Creek are the second @poi[camping options](74063452) which are more readily available. Right off of Curtis Creek if you climb up Newberry Creek you'll find @poi[more secluded camping options](78483700). If you have small road tires then we recommend you continue on to descend an equally as fun option along @poi[route 80](78532753) but this will skip over the camping option.

In Old Fort, the @poi[Kitsbow Ride House](74063451) has great options for coffee and breakfast. They even have a bike mechanic if needed.

Once the route turns back west just outside Old Fort you have relatively flat terrain until you arrive at the Old Highway 70 greenway climb. This tops out at the popular Kitsuma Trailhead where you’ll continue West into Black Mountain where we recommend to stop at @poi[Dynamite Roasting](74063436) or @poi[Pisgah Brewing](74063437) for your choice of drink. Next up you’ll pass through Warren Wilson College and into East Asheville. The route now jumps back on the Blue Ridge Parkway for the most scenic option to get back to Rockgeist but feel free to make the route your own and explore the city before returning to your vehicle.

View the entire route description on the [Rockgeist route page](rockgeist.com/routes/blackdomechallenge).

# Additional Information/camping options:
If you need any bikepacking gear check out the [Rockgeist rental gear selection](https://rockgeist.com/rental-gear/).

This is a big route to tackle in a single overnight. If you’re looking to spend more time camping  you may want to consider taking two nights; the first at Mt. Mitchell State Park campground and the second at Catawba Falls Campground or Curtis Creek for primative camping. Both campgrounds can fill up fast so it’s best to reserve your site in advance.

Take note of the Curtis Creek gravel road off the Parkway (heading north from Mt. Mitchell).  Camping along Curtis Creek is much easier to get compared to reserving a site on Mt. Mitchell.

Black Dome Challenge | Overnight Bikepacking | Rockgeist

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Rockgeist - Bikepack USA

Black Dome Challenge | Overnight Bikepacking | Rockgeist

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Rockgeist - Bikepack USA

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