Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Fri, Apr 22, 2011, 7:00 PM: Details still depend on how many sign up for this and if we can do the shuttle.Plan A:We'll start at Wayah Bald and hike to Wayah Shelter about 1 1/2 mile in Friday night a At Wayah Bald we ate lunch together and then Noah continued on a lot farther than I planned on hiking. Two years later, the forest service removed the upper levels of the tower for safety reasons. Many hikers opt to start at Wayah Gap, hike to Siler Bald, then hike to Wayah Gap for a 13-mile day. Why? At 2.6 miles the trail travels near 4339 foot Big Stamp. Wayah Bald has a vantage point of 5,342 ft. in elevation, located in the Nantahala National Forest. 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. Wayah Bald is a popular destination for travelers in North Carolina. Woke up early and made good time getting down into Telico Gap. Shuttle drivers were a big … Generations have come to this spot before a cabin was built by the Jones family in 1939. Wayah Bald Lookout Tower, North Carolina. More fine Southern Appalachian views from the summit of Siler Bald. To the southeast you can make out Albert Mountain, complete with observatory tower on top, and to the south is Standing Indian Mountain. Camping; Hiking . Several publications call Wayah Bald (elev. At 2.1 miles the trail passes 4383 foot Panther Gap. It is not too far from Atlanta. The trail passes by a campsite at 0.9 miles and reaches 4100 foot Swinging Lick Gap at 1.2 miles. It's 87 miles from Asheville. Wayah Bald, Nantahala National Forest Several publications call Wayah Bald (elev. It takes only around 2 hours and a half to get there. It was first built in the 1920s then it was rebuilt throughout the years until it was finally made out of stone and concrete. Siler Bald from Wayah Gap – A Great Place for Your First Backpacking Trip. Debated staying, but pushed on to a nice little camping spot right off trail after stopping to admire the panoramic views the Wesser fire tower offers. Shortly after leaving Wayah Bald you arrive at Wayah Shelter. Turn right on SR 1680. This is the highest point on the entire Bartram Trail and there are a few campsites in this area for overnight camping. Looking for a place to go backpacking for the first time? Hard evidence of Native Americans using the peak as hunting grounds dates back to 300 BC, although several 11,000-year old spearheads have been found on the mountain's slopes.With a great vantage point of surrounding areas, including views towards three States (North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia), the summit of Wayah Bald has been a historically significant viewpoint for many years. Wayah Bald camping??? The mountain is named for "Wa ya", the Cherokee word for wolf, in tribute to the red wolves that lived on the peak pri… Situated along both the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail, the 53-ft., three-story stone lookout on Wayah Bald was decommissioned in the 1940s. The AT continues on right by the tower after you've had your fill of the crowds and views. destinations. 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. Wayah Bald has a parking area and is accessible via USFS 69 from Wayah Gap. (21), Climber's Log Entries Franklin/Winding Stair Gap to Wayah Bald Shelter. Although the climb was arduous, the payoff left me speechless. Filmed with a GoPro HERO4 (February 2016). See more Nantahala Forest updates. The trail starts from Wayah Gap, an unassuming spot that is easy to miss. Ron picked Heisenberg and I up at the inn in his white Cadillac around 9:30 and drove us back to the gap. 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. Find a small picnic area at the very end of the turnaround. Since there were other nearby lookouts, the fire detection service at Wayah Bald was stopped in 1945. Read about the history of forestry and see the historic structures. On the drive to Wayah Bald, you can stop at the Wilson Lick Ranger Station (about three miles before you reach the summit). The section ends at Wayah Bald which has a firetower with excellent views. Filmed with a GoPro HERO4 (February 2016). If you come from Winding Stair Gap, the hike poses more of a challenge, as you’ll log almost 2,000 feet in elevation. Directions, Parking, & Regulations Lake Powhatan Campground. This bald is easily accessible to cars, so be prepared to share the views. This is an area with whitewater opportunities but I’m more interested in hiking etc in the area and just wondered if anyone had any info/suggestions. The Appalachian and Bartram Trails lead directly to the tower on Wayah Bald at 5,342 feet. (Wayah means wolf in the Cherokee language). I was disappointed in my injury but I wasn’t upset. Camping at the Wayah Bald Lookout Towel (Beach Towel (32" x 64")) by Tim Stanley. Wayah is a Cherokee word for "wolf," and the bald was named for the red wolves that roamed in abundance here. Apr 27, 2017 - Trail Journals : Backpacking and Hiking Journals The third story housed fire-detecting equipment and served as the lookout, with 16 windows providing a 360-degree view of the Nantahala National Forest. pblanc. Wayah Bald, near Franklin, is a popular destination for hikers, especially in the early summer when rhododendron and azalea are in bloom. When built in 1937, Wayah Bald Fire Tower had an interior stairway to the second story, where an external wooden catwalk encircled a public observation level enclosed by 12 windows. Anyone know any campgrounds in the Wayah Bald area of western NC. Wayah bald looks down over the town of Franklin from over 5,000 feet. On a clear day, like shown in the pictures, you can see to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and even into Georgia. A visit to Wayah Bald and Tower is well worth the journey. In 1913, the first ranger station of the Nantahala National Forest was built on Wayah Bald. Our towels are great. Find more historic fire lookout towers to climb in the NC mountains. There are also information signs both along a rock wall near the base of the tower and on the second floor of the tower, each telling further historical and interpretive facts. Recommended "POIs" or Points of Interest located along Wayah Road: Note: We list POIs in order of their location, Franklin to Nantahala. Shortly after leaving Wayah Bald you arrive at Wayah Shelter. Wayah Bald to Rocky Bald 8 Miles Rocky Bald to Jump Up 14.2 Jump Up to Brown Fork Gap 11 Brown Fork Gap to Cable Gap 6.1 Cable Gap to Fontana Dam 6.9 Total Miles: 46.2 Well we finally got another five day section of the AT in. We are delighted that the roof was rebuilt in early 2018 after a wildfire burned it in late 2016. Guidebook For This Area: Trail Map For This Area: MORE DETAILS. Such birds include wild turkey, ruffed grouse, rufous-sided towhee, bald eagle, yellow-bellied sapsucker, ovenbird, solitary vireo, scarlet tanager, white-breasted nuthatch, veery, golden-crowned kinglet, and multiple species of warbler. One night on our trip to North Carolina, we visited Wayah Bald Mountain to try some astrophotography. Apr 27, 2017 - Trail Journals : Backpacking and Hiking Journals Follow for 4.4 miles to its end, at the Wayah Bald parking area.5) Follow the paved path to the stone observation tower at the summit. The peak has a long history of significance within the region. Spend a fabulous day or two in Bryson City and the Great Smokies with waterfalls, hiking, rafting, food, and shopping. See the mountain views from Wayah Bald Lookout Tower in the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin, North Carolina, located along the Appalachian Trail. 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. A picnic area is located nearby. I did not so I decided to camp at the closest shelter. We parked at Wayah Gap parking area (35.1530401, -83.5811141). Wayah's bald area is small, surrounded small trees stunted and pruned by the strong winds and icy winter weather. However, we brought our down jackets with us because it can get pretty chilly at night and in the morning. Advice. We really enjoyed this hike, but expected it to be an 8 mile hike one way. Since this jewel of small town America offers so much to do, it's one of our top... Find and explore the historic fire lookout towers that still remain in the North Carolina mountains. Siler Bald via Wayah Gap: the hike The hike departs from the picnic area at Wayah Gap, located just off NC SR1310, Wayah Road (view maps and driving directions). The trail passes by a campsite at 0.9 miles and reaches 4100 foot Swinging Lick Gap at 1.2 miles. In the 1930s, the historic Wayah Bald Fire Tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This hike primary trail can be used both directions.