November 23, 2010
Wayah Bald - Appalachian Trail - NC
Today, we hiked on the Appalachian Trail in NC from the Wayah Crest Picnic Area to Wayah Bald and back. 8.5 mi. round trip
Trail information
This is an outstanding portion of the Appalachian Trail from Wayah Gap to Wayah Bald. There is quite a bit of elevation change but overall not extreme. After about 2.5 miles, the trail is shared with the Bartram Trail up to the Bald. Wayah Bald is well-known for its breathtaking views of the NC/TN/GA/SC mountains, but today the weather turned bad with rain and dense fog. Trail difficulty rating is moderately strenuous due to elevation change
Directions
From Franklin, travel west on US 64 for 3 miles to Old Murphy Road where there is a Wayah Bald sign. Turn right and drive .2 mile to Wayah Road (SR 1310). Turn left and continue for 9 miles to Wayah Gap and FR 69. There is an Appalachian Trail crossing sign. (Wayah Crest Picnic Area is on the left.) Another great day for a hike! WILD
Conditions
Cloudy and cool with rain and dense fog temperatures ranging from the low to mid 50 degrees F.
Hikers (16)
- Maggie Bennett
- Steve Bennett
- Karen Brown
- Phil Brownrigg
- Pam Euliss
- Bill Hunt
- Jack Jacobi
- Dick Metzgar
- John Mooneyham
- Jeanne O'Connor
- Donna Presley
- Tony Presley
- Vic Robson
- Lynne Saporito
- David Whitaker
- Geri Whitaker
Birds identified
Crow, Ruffed Grouse, Junco and Nuthatch
Photos (12)
A foggy morning as we start our hike. Familiar trail sign on Wayah Road. Another great day for a hike! We met this backpacker who started at Harper's Ferry on a 1000+ mile hike to Springer Mt. GA. Fungus of the week! Lichen of the week! Trail sign at the Bartram Trail intersection. The A.T. and Bartram Trail share the path to Wayah Bald. The renovated Wayah Bald Tower! The Historic Tower was restored this past Summer. An Ingles shopping bag is good for more than groceries! Headed back to Wayah Gap after lunch. We came by the Historic Wilson Lick Ranger Station on the way back. The OFHC gang (pictured through a wet lens) for today's hike. (l-r) Bill Hunt, John Mooneyham, Pam Euliss, Karen Brown, Donna Presley, Jeanne O'Connor, Geri Whitaker, Lynne Saporito, Phil Brownrigg, David Whitaker, Vic Robson, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Maggie Bennett, Steve Bennett and Tony Presley.