Skip to content
Northeast Georgia HikingNew & Old Friends Who Like to Hike

June 5, 2018

Appalachian Trail - Siler Bald from Wayah Crest Picnic area. - NC

Today's hike was on the Appalachian Trail near Franklin, NC from Wayah Crest Pinic Area to Siler Bald and back

Trail information

This is a very nice summertime hike to spectacular Siler Bald. It is an uphill hike to the bald but very worth the effort because of the spectacular views from the 5,216 ft. summit. Total hiking distance today - 4.1 miles with large elevation gain. We rate the hike as moderately strenuous due to a large elevation gain

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! Mostly sunny and mild. Total distance - 4.1 mi. BLOOMING PLANTS: Flame Azalea, Buttercups, Vasey's Trillium, Mountain Laurel, Solomon's Seal, False Solomon's Seal, White Baneberry, Yellow Star Grass, Blackberries, Canada Violet, Bluets, Wood Betony, Indian Cucumber Root, Squaw Root

Conditions

Temperatures in the mid 60's F warming into the mid 70's.

Hikers (15)

  • Mike Bell
  • Jenny Bell
  • Ray Clark
  • Joe Collins
  • Renee Corbett
  • Greta Driggers
  • Jim Driggers
  • Tim Hale
  • Kim Johnson
  • Dick Metzgar
  • Tony Presley
  • Alex Purcell
  • Vic Robson
  • Carole Wintle
  • Jack Wintle

Birds identified

Black and White Warbler, Towhee, Oven Bird, Veery, Black-Throated Blue Warbler, Junco, Pine Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Scarlet Tanager

Photos (15)

  • Our trailhead today.
  • Leaving Wayah Crest headed for the A.T.
  • Mountain Laurel.
  • Crossing a footbridge early into the hike.
  • Flame Azalea.
  • This hike is uphill all the way to the destination.
  • Snowbird Gap is just below the grassy slope to Siler Bald.
  • Headed up the long grassy slope!
  • Magnificent views from 5,216 ft. Siler Bald!
  • Beautiful layers of mountains.
  • Looking deep into the valley, we see Lake Nantahala.
  • Headed back down the grassy slope!
  • Our elevation profile.
  • Our path today.
  • The OFHC gang for today's hike. (l-r) Kim Johnson, Jim Driggers, Greta Driggers, Joe Collins, Tim Hale, Vic Robson, Carole Wintle, Jack Wintle, Renee Corbett, Jenny Bell, Dick Metzgar, Mike Bell, Ray Clark, Alex Purcell and Tony Presley.

Video