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6,583 ft · Black Mountains, North Carolina

Cattail Peak

Cattail Peak is a 6,583 ft peak in the Black Mountains, North Carolina. The standard route is the Black Mountain Crest Trail and Cattail Ridge Bushwhack: 5 mi, 1,700 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Cattail Peak in the Black Mountains, North Carolina

Cattail Peak at a glance

  • Elevation6,583 ft2,006 m
  • RouteBlack Mountain Crest Trail and Cattail Ridge BushwhackClass 2
  • Distance5 mi1,700 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsModerate effort
  • SeasonApr – Nov
  • RangeBlack MountainsNorth Carolina

Climbing the Black Mountain Crest Trail and Cattail Ridge Bushwhack

From Asheville, follow the Blue Ridge Parkway north to milepost 355.3 and NC 128 to the Mount Mitchell summit parking area. Hike the Black Mountain Crest Trail north over Mount Craig, Big Tom and Balsam Cone to the gap past the state park boundary. An old wooden sign there marks the wrong spot; the true summit needs a Class 2 bushwhack of about 0.2 mi, leaving the trail where it bends left off the ridge and following the crest through open fir to a rock outcrop with a Cattail Peak benchmark. Carry a map for the off-trail leg and expect fog, wind and slick roots.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (25–35 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Route-finding difficulty
  • High winds
  • Low visibility
  • Slippery terrain

Quests with Cattail Peak

Peaks near Cattail Peak

  1. Balsam Cone

    Balsam Cone

    6,596 ft · 0.5 mi away

  2. Mount Craig

    Mount Craig

    6,646 ft · 1.4 mi away

  3. Winter Star Mountain

    Winter Star Mountain

    6,208 ft · 1.5 mi away

  4. Mount Mitchell

    Mount Mitchell

    6,684 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Cattail Peak?

Cattail Peak is 6,583 feet (2,006 m) tall. It is in the Black Mountains, North Carolina.

How does Cattail Peak rank among the South Beyond 6,000?

At 6,583 feet, Cattail Peak is the 7th highest of the 40 peaks of the South Beyond 6,000. The highest is Mount Mitchell.

How hard is it to hike Cattail Peak?

The Black Mountain Crest Trail and Cattail Ridge Bushwhack is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort moderate: 5 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Cattail Peak?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Black Mountain Crest Trail and Cattail Ridge Bushwhack, covering 5 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Cattail Peak?

Usually, if you are fit. The Black Mountain Crest Trail and Cattail Ridge Bushwhack is a common first summit for hikers ready for 3 – 5 hours on their feet. Bring layers, food and water, and check the weather before you start.

When is the best time to hike Cattail Peak?

The usual hiking window is April to November. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Cattail Peak with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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