Big Firescald Knob

This section of the Appalachian Trail is known for an exposed ridge that has fantastic views of Greenville, Big Bald, Roan, the Great Craggy Mountains, and the black mountains with distant Mt. Mitchell. The trail can be extremely rocky and rooty, so there is also a 1.5 mile bad weather blue-blazed trail that is optional for bad days. Day hikers do it as a loop trip. Howards Rock, Big Firescald Knob and White Rock Cliff are a few features identified along the route. Watch for rattlesnakes along these ledges as they are common here. There is a memorial plaque to trail-builder Howard McDonald.