Parking Location: Wayah Bald, NC (119.9 miles); Burningtown Gap (124.4 miles); Tellico Gap (129.2 miles); Nantahala Outdoor Center (137.3 miles) Views: Wayah Bald Tower (119.9 miles); Copper Ridge Bald (126.3 miles); Rocky Bald (127.5 miles); Wesser Bald Fire … Day 5: Wayah Bald to Tellico Gap, June 28, 2017 “I’ll just hike a little ways with you” Words from Momma Puma as we pulled into the Wayah Bald parking area. 20 Turn left onto gravel FS road 388 (often closed in Winter months), go about 2 miles to sign and parking area for Rufus Morgan Trail. Trail entrance is in parking area. There are two parking circles for the Wayah Crest Picnic Area. Turn right and go 0.2 miles to SR 1310 (Wayah Road). This trail is blue blazed, and is easy to follow. The peak has a long history of significance within the region. The Appalachian and Bartram trails cross Wayah Bald. Follow the gravel road for 4.5 miles to the parking area. destinations. Mile 0.0 – When Wayah Rd crests at Wayah Gap, look for the unsigned but obvious gravel road on the opposite/south side of FR 69 entrance. The GPS coordinates are N35 09.186 W83 34.858 for those who have a GPS devise in their vehicle. Bald Mountain Recreation Area • Graham Lakes - Fishing pier off Harmon Rd with low railings for angler’s in a wheelchair. Day 5: Wayah Bald to Tellico Gap, June 28, 2017 "I'll just hike a little ways with you" Words from Momma Puma as we pulled into the Wayah Bald parking area. Turn left and begin a moderate ascent north. With its summit conveniently located at the intersection of the heavily used Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail, Wayah Bald is popular to hikers as a starting point, mid-point, and end-goal. Highlights. Some help may be needed to reach pier. You should look to the left and turn off the road where you will find a parking lot for Wayah Crest. The area has a number of hiking trails, many of them connecting with the Appalachian and Bartram Trails which intersect on Wayah Bald. There is a Wayah Crest trailhead sign there. “Wa ya” means wolf in the Cherokee language. Turn right onto FR 69 and drive 4.4 miles to the Wayah Bald parking area. Wayah Bald Lookout Tower One of the most beautiful views of the mountains in this area. Fees: None. Wayah Bald just outside of Franklin NC has excellent views from an elevation of 5,342 feet Appalachian Trail runs along FR #69 and continues up and over Wayah Bald crossing right by the lookout tower (White Blazed) ; Bartram Trail (Yellow Blaze) passes through the tower area and shares the path with the A.T. Sitting on top of Wayah Bald lookout tower, I reminisced about the previous times I'd been there.The first time was when I hiked my first 20 mile day.The second was on a winter AT backpacking trip with friends. Turn left and continue for 9 miles to Wayah Gap, then turn right on FR 69. Start Location: Wayah Bald, NC (119.9 miles) NOBO End Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center (137.4 miles). Wayah Bald is a popular destination for travelers in North Carolina. 90 Sloan Road Yet, despite the remoteness of the tower, it is very easy to get to via a short paved trail that is only about 500ft in length. There is a small bald area near the turnaround, along with a few picnic tables in the trees around it. They failed to find it between Andrews and Aquone. I barely heard her as my senses were overtaken by the sheer jaw-dropping vista this morning at Wayah Bald. Stunning views are found from the top of the tower. The road can be rugged in places, though the area is well traveled. (828) 524-6441, Franklin Chamber of Commerce Its historic fire tower affords great views of the southern Appalachian mountains in three states. Facilities: Pit toilets on the paved road to the summit, small picnic area. Huge boulders piled upon a large hill make up the mountain. Franklin, North Carolina 28734 Spear points found on the bald indicate that indigenous people used the area as hunting grounds more than eleven thousand years ago. In 1913, the first ranger station in the Nantahala National Forest was completed on Wayah Bald. Wayah Crest was a former campground that is now a picnic area and trailhead for Siler Bald. High atop Wayah Bald mountain near Franklin North Carolina is the easy to access Wayah Bald Lookout Tower. There are restroom facilities at the parking area. Cherokee legend holds that the Nunnehi, the immortal spirit beings, kept these balds cleared so that eagles could catch rabbits. This change was made when Mr. Sherman, the collector of the type, with Mr. Brimley collected shermani on Wayah Bald at a spot Mr. Sherman thought was the same as that which yielded the original specimens four years earlier. To get to Wayah Bald, drive West on US 64 for 3.8 miles after the US 23/441 Exit (South). Wayah Bald Lookout Tower is about 45 minutes from Franklin North Carolina. It’s 87 miles from Asheville. Activities: Hiking, picnicking. After crossing the street from the parking area, you leave the highway and civilization behind. Bald Mountain is one such formation. Among other reasons to visit this bald mountaintop in the Tar Heel State is the positively fantastic observation tower that sits atop the bald. Head up the winding mountain road for about 4.3 miles to the signed parking area for Wayah Bald. “Do something that makes you feel small!” Other Area Trails: Rufus Morgan Waterfall and Trail, Wesser Bald, Wine Spring Bald, Bartram Trail, Appalachian Trail. Follow the gravel road for 4.5 miles to the parking area. All reviews gravel road appalachian trail parking area long range views awesome views mountain view worth the trip four miles easy climb afraid of heights forest service road wayah bald walk up long drive parking lot worth the effort up hill nc area picnic tables picnic lunch clouds trees. The set-up of this list is pretty straight forward but here area a few useful notes regarding its use… -Mileage is given, in miles, as one heads north from Springer (for mileage from Katahdin simply subtract 2178.3) Walk back out to Wayah Rd and turn right. The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. This lot design provides parking for two vehicles, and requires a curb cut. The out and back mileage should be closer to 8.4 and not 16 miles. Wayah Bald has a parking area and is accessible via USFS 69 from Wayah Gap. At 3.4 miles the trail begins its push to Wayah Bald. Two long-distance trails, the Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail, cross at the tower. At an elevation of 5,342ft this 50ft stone tower, which was originally built in 1937, looks out over a vast section of the Nantahala Nation Forest and beyond. At Wine Spring Bald, the trail joined the AT all the way to Wayah Bald. The Appalachian Trail at Dicks Creek Gap. For more information, contact: US Forest Service/National Forests in North Carolina … I barely heard her as my senses were overtaken by the sheer jaw-dropping vista this morning at Wayah Bald. by Brimley (1912) to Wayah Bald, in the Nantahala range. At 4.2 miles the trail reaches the 5342 foot Wayah Bald. Turns out that it was just 4.2 miles to the Wayah Bald Tower and just over 1500 feet in elevation change. (Wayah Crest Picnic Area is on the left.) Location. However, if you follow Wayah Road for nine miles from U.S. 64 there is a sign for Wayah Bald on the right. Around the corner from the parking area, the road loops a small lawn, which had a picnic table at the far end. Your itinerary can only contain The Front Parking Partner is a good option for those looking to gain space for off-street parking. Bald Mountain Recreation Area was officially established in the early 1930s, and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which operated under President Roosevelt’s New Deal program, blazed trails, created a beach, and laid down roads. Highlights. Welcome to the Nantahala National Forest! © 2020 Blue Ridge National Heritage Area   :: In light of concerns surrounding COVID-19, some events listed may be cancelled. Nantahala Ranger District HELP US KEEP OUR TRADITIONS ALIVE FOR YEARS TO COME. You are about to remove all destinations from your itinerary. Guidebook For This Area: Trail Map For This Area: MORE DETAILS. Mile 0.1 – The Appalachian Trail crosses Wayah Rd immediately east of FR 69. The adventure begins at Dicks Creek Gap on the paved Highway 76, (view maps and driving directions), following the AT’s signature white trail blazes of the northeast from the gap.The hike follows the meanders of a small stream, a tributary of Dick’s Creek, which some miles away cascades in the stunning waterfall at Dicks Creek Falls. Web Design :: Asheville, NC. Please check with the events and venues for the latest information. Detailed Description: There is no sign for Wayah Crest on Wayah Road. Are you sure you want to do this? Franklin, NC 28734 Siler Bald via Wayah Gap: the hike. In the 1930s, the historic Wayah Bald Fire Tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This lot is a great design to share with a neighbor who also needs parking! Parking We parked at Wayah Gap parking area (35.1530401, -83.5811141). If getting high above the local terrain is a must for you, then a visit to Wayah Bald near Franklin, North Carolina, is essential. The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River. The mountain is named for "Wa ya", the Cherokee word for wolf, in tribute to the red wolves that l… At 4.0 miles the trail becomes a paved, accessible path as you make your final push toward the tower. From Franklin, travel west on US 64 to old US 64 (Old Murphy Road). You will need to remove a destination before adding any more. ... 26 Photos. Cass Lake (Dodge State Park No. 866-372-5546, Proud to be a Partner of the National Park Service. For trail maps, stop at the Wayah District Ranger Station on US 64 West. Some speculate that Wayah Bald could be the result of intermittent fire caused by lightning. A picnic area is located nearby. Wayah Bald, near Franklin, is a popular destination for hikers, especially in the early summer when rhododendron and azalea are in bloom. The origin and continued maintenance of balds are the subject of scientific debate. The elevation here is 5012 feet. From Franklin, travel west on US 64 to old US 64 (Old Murphy Road). But the main attraction of this area is the fire tower at the top of the … Picnic Area with plenty of parking but older tables (bring your own grill) Nearby Hiking along the Appalachian Trail ; Hike to Siler Bald #1 via the AT for wonderful views ; Nearby Wayah Bald Lookout Tower, picnic and trails; No sign near the picnic area coming from Frankin/Small sign coming from Nantahala There is parking available at Wayah Crest for about ten cars. Turn right and go 0.2 miles to SR 1310 (Wayah Road). Related Searches. 828-524-3161 US Forest Service/National Forests in North Carolina Take first left onto Wayah Road (state road 1310), go about 6.5 miles. Balds are high-altitude open areas devoid of trees, occurring as either shrub-dominated areas or tundra-like grasslands at the highest summits with spruce-fir forests. After 4.5 miles you'll reach the first of the balds: Siler Bald. View from Wayah Bald Observation Tower. Replacing your itinerary cannot be undone. A picnic area is located nearby. The top of Wayah Bald is a nice area with great views even before you get to the tower. Hiking in North Carolina State Parks & Forests, Gather ‘Round the Blue Ridge Annual Meeting, US Forest Service/National Forests in North Carolina, Website by Integritive Inc. A parking area is located nearby. • Lower Trout Lake - Fishing pier in park area off Greenshield Road west of Lapeer Rd, Orion Twp. There is a parking lot at the Gap if you need to leave a car. One of the easiest mountain lookout towers to reach as it is only 500ft from the road. On a good clear day you can see well into Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. Wayah Bald Fire Lookout Tower NC Total Mileage: 0.4 Miles Parking area Directions 35.178022,-83.562712 Total rise: 33′ Facebook Wayah Bald is named for the red wolves once lived on its slopes. The Appalachian Trail is found just beyond a picnic area. The tower was refurbished in 2010 and reopened early in 2011 along with new pathways, a new restroom and new accessible parking. The trail passes a scenic cascading waterfall and begins climbing. The Wayah Bald fire tower,… The road is closed during the winter months. Turn left and continue for 9 miles to Wayah Gap, then turn right on FR 69. Dates: Open year-round. Tracy Breeden August 26, 2013. The hike departs from the picnic area at Wayah Gap, located just off NC SR1310, Wayah Road (view maps and driving directions).The hike trails eastbound through the picnic area, quickly coming to a junction with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail and turning right to follow the AT southbound to Siler Bald. 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