Old Black

The 4th-highest mountain in Tennessee and the 7th-highest in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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Old Black Details

Old Black is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains. While often overshadowed by Mount Guyot, its higher neighbor to the south, Old Black is the 4th-highest mountain in Tennessee and the 7th-highest in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Appalachian Trail crosses its western slope, connecting the Cosby-area trail system with the heart of the Eastern Smokies. Like much of the Smokies crest, Old Black lies along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, with Cocke County and Sevier County to the west and Haywood County to the east. The mountain rises 4,400 feet (1,300 m) above its northwestern base near Rocky Grove and 3,300 feet (1,000 m) above its southeastern base near Walnut Bottom. Old Black is part of the Guyot massif, which extends deep into the interior of the Smokies. A ridge known as Pinnacle Lead intersects this massif— which comprises the eastern section of the crest of the Smokies— on the western slope of Old Black, giving Old Black a triangular shape similar to that of Tricorner Knob to the south. Old Black gets its name from the dense Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest that coats its higher elevations. From afar, this forest takes on a dark green character, especially in cooler months when contrasted with the brown hardwood forest in lower elevations. This forest also adds to Old Black's blunt appearance— that of a low pyramid with a wide base. Source: Wikipedia

Difficulty

Low

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Nearby Parks Around Old Black

Compare nearby parks around Old Black when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

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Nearby Points of Interest Around Old Black

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0.7 mi away

Mount Guyot

At 6,621 feet (2,018 m) above sea level, Guyot is the fourth-highest summit in the eastern U.S.

1.3 mi away

Tricorner Knob

An elevation of 6,120 feet (1,865 m), with 160 feet (48 m) of clean prominence.

2.1 mi away

Mount Chapman

Among the 10 highest mountains in the Appalachian range, if subpeaks are not included.

2.4 mi away

Marks Knob

A popular bushwhacking destination and one of the most difficult-to-reach summits.

2.6 mi away

Ramsey Cascades

Arguably the most beautiful and awe-inspiring falls in the park.