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Big Butt Trail and Blackstock Knob - Pisgah National Forest, NC

2,440 views · Published 31 July 2016 · 22:04 · Indexed 11 October 2026

Channel: Zachary Robbins · 2016 · Travel & Events

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Long day hike starting at Cane River Gap deep in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. This spot informally marks the boundary between the Black Mountains and the Big Ivy region. I took the Big Butt Trail south all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway then took the Mountains-to-Sea Trail to Blackstock Knob before turning around.

After a long climb I did a horrible short bushwhack to the summit of Flat Spring Knob. Next I took an overgrown trail to the summit of Big Butt at 5,930 feet. This trail was also very thorny. Fortunately the next bit was an extended ridgeline hike to Little Butt with open views west of the Great Craggy Mountains, and open views east of the Black Mountains. I even got to scavenge some wild blueberries!

The views of the Black Mountains from Little Butt are outstanding. You can pick out almost every peak in the range. Next I climbed up Point Misery then once I reached Balsam Gap at the BRP, followed the MST east towards Blackstock Knob. There is another unique view of the Black Mountains on this section, but no views from the true summit. The way back was a long, tiring journey.

Hike was 15.8 miles with 4,365 feet elevation gain in 8 hours and 15 minutes.

Hike location
https://goo.gl/maps/ARMoU7nyL6sf8BQH9

Hike report
http://www.hikingupward.com/PNF/BigButtTrail/

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