NORTH CAROLINA  –  PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST  –  Fryingpan Mountain Trail

Notes: The trailhead for this hike is at Fryingpan Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 409.6. Go around the metal gate and turn immediately to your left to begin the trail. The approximately 0.75-mile path to the summit of Fryingpan Mountain is a wide, pleasant, one-lane, mostly uphill, dirt/gravel/rock road. I’ve found late July and early August to be great times to take this walk because of the wildflowers that bloom in profusion along the trail during this time of year. Species I’ve seen include black-eyed Susan, daisy fleabane, green-headed coneflower, star thistle, tickseed sunflower, and turk’s cap lily. You might also glimpse a variety of butterflies sampling the nectar from selected blooms. On a reasonably clear day, an added bonus at the end of your hike is an enjoyable view of the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains and valleys from an elevation of 5,308 feet. Even though this trail is not a long one, it would not be a bad idea to have some water along with you.

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