Wallace Branch Trailhead to Nantahala Lake
August 1, 2015
|
|
Start Location: Wallace Branch Trail Head - Parking (70 miles) | 35.18013, -83.43311
End Location: Nantahala Lake (88.8 miles) | 35.192150, -83.639091 Parking Locations: Wallace Branch Trail Head - Parking (70 miles) | 35.18013, -83.43311; Wayah Bald Parking (80.8 miles) | 35.178318, -83.562585; Sawmill Gap (84.7 miles) | 35.165584, -83.611266; and Nantahala Lake (88.8 miles) | 35.192150, -83.639091. Views: Waterfall (70.1 miles); William's Pulpit (72 miles); Wayah Bald (80.8 miles); and Nantahala Lake (88.8 miles). Water Sources: There is ample water near Wallace Branch and then no water for just over 10 miles. Make sure you get your fill and carry enough to next water source. Stream Crossing (80.1 miles); Wine Spring Campsite (82.5 miles); and Nantahala Lake (88.8 miles). Campsites: Wallace Branch Trailhead (70); Locust Tree Gap - Side Trail (72.7 miles); BT & AT Join (80.2 miles); Wine Springs Campsite (82.5 miles) and Nantahala Lake (88.8 miles)Nantahala Lake (88.8 miles)ntahala Lake (88.8 miles). BT Distance: 18.8 miles Hiking Distance: 21.5 miles. |
|
This was supposed to be a long, 24 mile day hike to set myself up for a short overnight hike to finish the BT. Well, best laid plans. . . . The hike did not go exactly the way I planned. In fact, the lack of planning was a big problem. I ended up getting lost twice because I didn't do enough research on this section and ended up going to wrong way twice down a road. Not my proudest moment.
The hike actually started off really, really well. I got to Wallace Branch Trailhead only about 45 minutes late. It was a good start for me. The BT from Wallace Branch to Wayah Bald has over 5,000 feet of elevation gain in about 10.8 miles.The trail joins the Trimont Ridge line, which has a very roller coaster feel where you are constantly going either up or down without a level area in sight. |
The trail from Wallace Branch trailhead begins a very gradual uphill and passes several campsites along the way. About 0.1 miles into this hike, you come to this small waterfall (70.1 miles). Shortly after this waterfall, there is a campsite for at least two tents. This is the last water on this hike for over 10 miles. There is water at Locust Tree Gap, but it was dry on this day.
At mile 71.3, the Trimont Ridge Trail intersects the BT from your right. I took the trail up quite a bit to see where it would lead me, but at some point it became to overgrown for me to continue to try to hike it. I turned back around and made my way back to the BT and continued climbing. At mile 71.7, you come across Gibson Knob side trail, which you can take for 0.6 miles to Gibson Knob. Gibson Knob, U believe, does not offer any views.
For the first 2+ miles, there is constant climbing until you reach William's Pulpit (72 miles). William's Pulpit offers a pretty nice view from a rock outcrop. It is a 120 degree view of south of the valley below and the adjoining mountains. Shortly after William's Pulpit (72), you finish your climb and begin your first descent to Locust Tree Gap # 1 (72.7 miles). In this section, there are two Locust Tree Gaps. At this one there is a side trail marked with a sign saying water which leads you to a spring and a campsite; however, on this day, the spring was dry.
For the next half a mile, the trail gains elevation fairly quickly to Wilkes Knob (73.2 miles). The trail here begins a series of short up and downs, but generally losing elevation until you get to Harrison Gap (75.5 miles). During this descent, I was passed by two trail runners which I met back up with at Harrison Gap. We talked about Scot Jurek and trail running in general. After about 10 minutes of talking, I begin the steep climb out of Harrison Gap. I was making great time in this section. The trail here begins a series of ups and downs for a roller coaster feel while generally gaining significant elevation until you reach Locust Tree Gap # 2 (77.6 miles).
Here you begin the very steep climb up Wayah Bald. At the Gap, you continue straight onto an old forest road for 0.1 miles and then take a hard right up a set of stairs with a wooden handrail and really, really begin to climb up Wayah Bald. It is during this climb that my body started cramping and I completely ran out of water. I started getting a little hungry but couldn't eat anything because I had nothing to wash it down with. This climb was a struggle and my pretty damn good pace took a huge hit here. My place slowed down to a crawl with the lack of water and cramping. During this section, I also passed a bear sanctuary, which if my body would have allowed, I would have gotten the heck out of there ASAP.
After what felt like forever, I took my first sit down and eat break at the first water source in 10 + miles. The stream (80.1 miles) was moving and it made for a pretty nice stopping point. After a break, I continued hiking and in 0.1 miles, the BT joints the AT on the north side of Wayah Bald. So while you are hiking NOBO on the AT, you are hiking SOBO on the AT. In this area, there are ample campsites and Wayah Bald Shelter is close by as well.
After a final little push up Wayah Bald, I made it to the fire tower. It was a gorgeous day and I had the fire tower to myself for a while. I had a small break here and took in the view and ate some more food. After taking everything in, I realized it was 1 pm and I had 13 more miles to do before 7 pm where I was going to get picked up by SB who was kind enough to help me (again) with a shuttle. Seriously guys, trail magic and trail friends are awesome. I am in love with the trail community! I called SB and revised my plan. I was going to save the last 6 miles of this days planned day hike for another weekend and hike until Nantahala Lake.
At mile 71.3, the Trimont Ridge Trail intersects the BT from your right. I took the trail up quite a bit to see where it would lead me, but at some point it became to overgrown for me to continue to try to hike it. I turned back around and made my way back to the BT and continued climbing. At mile 71.7, you come across Gibson Knob side trail, which you can take for 0.6 miles to Gibson Knob. Gibson Knob, U believe, does not offer any views.
For the first 2+ miles, there is constant climbing until you reach William's Pulpit (72 miles). William's Pulpit offers a pretty nice view from a rock outcrop. It is a 120 degree view of south of the valley below and the adjoining mountains. Shortly after William's Pulpit (72), you finish your climb and begin your first descent to Locust Tree Gap # 1 (72.7 miles). In this section, there are two Locust Tree Gaps. At this one there is a side trail marked with a sign saying water which leads you to a spring and a campsite; however, on this day, the spring was dry.
For the next half a mile, the trail gains elevation fairly quickly to Wilkes Knob (73.2 miles). The trail here begins a series of short up and downs, but generally losing elevation until you get to Harrison Gap (75.5 miles). During this descent, I was passed by two trail runners which I met back up with at Harrison Gap. We talked about Scot Jurek and trail running in general. After about 10 minutes of talking, I begin the steep climb out of Harrison Gap. I was making great time in this section. The trail here begins a series of ups and downs for a roller coaster feel while generally gaining significant elevation until you reach Locust Tree Gap # 2 (77.6 miles).
Here you begin the very steep climb up Wayah Bald. At the Gap, you continue straight onto an old forest road for 0.1 miles and then take a hard right up a set of stairs with a wooden handrail and really, really begin to climb up Wayah Bald. It is during this climb that my body started cramping and I completely ran out of water. I started getting a little hungry but couldn't eat anything because I had nothing to wash it down with. This climb was a struggle and my pretty damn good pace took a huge hit here. My place slowed down to a crawl with the lack of water and cramping. During this section, I also passed a bear sanctuary, which if my body would have allowed, I would have gotten the heck out of there ASAP.
After what felt like forever, I took my first sit down and eat break at the first water source in 10 + miles. The stream (80.1 miles) was moving and it made for a pretty nice stopping point. After a break, I continued hiking and in 0.1 miles, the BT joints the AT on the north side of Wayah Bald. So while you are hiking NOBO on the AT, you are hiking SOBO on the AT. In this area, there are ample campsites and Wayah Bald Shelter is close by as well.
After a final little push up Wayah Bald, I made it to the fire tower. It was a gorgeous day and I had the fire tower to myself for a while. I had a small break here and took in the view and ate some more food. After taking everything in, I realized it was 1 pm and I had 13 more miles to do before 7 pm where I was going to get picked up by SB who was kind enough to help me (again) with a shuttle. Seriously guys, trail magic and trail friends are awesome. I am in love with the trail community! I called SB and revised my plan. I was going to save the last 6 miles of this days planned day hike for another weekend and hike until Nantahala Lake.
|
|
The water did a lot of good, but I am still mildly cramping. After one last view of from the fire tower, it was time to head down. From here, the trail follows the paved side walk until you come to a kiosk for the Bartram Trail. Continue downhill on the paved side walk until you see a white and yellow blaze go off into the woods on your right immediately before the parking area.
From here, the trail descends and then begins a brief climb up to Wine Springs Bald side trail (82.5 miles) which is blue blazed. Continue to climb and begin a short descent and you come to Wine Springs Campsite (82.7 miles), which is a very large campsite with great water, but on this day there were hundreds of dead caterpillars right in the water source. From here, the AT and BT diverge. The AT goes off to your left and the BT goes off to your right at mile marker 82.75. |
From here the trail begins to lose elevation until Sawmill Gap (85.7 miles). But first, it passes the first of three Wildlife Meadows at mile marker 83 miles and a nice view of Siler Bald (84 miles). Once you make it down to Sawmill Gap, which dumps you on paved FS 711, take a left towards the parking lot. The trail, however, pulls off onto an old forest road to your right immediately before the parking area. I completely missed this and ended up going 0.3 miles down FS 711 and then back looking for the trail. Boy was that dumb on my part.
From here, the trail begins a moderate climb up to Jarrett Bald (85.5 miles) and finally steeply descends down to Nantahala Lake (88.1 miles). The trail dumps you off on Wayah Road with the lake directly in front of you. The waters of Nantahala Lake are simple stunning. Wine Spring also dumps into Nantahala Lake at this area and there are a few parking areas along Wayah Road. I knew I had a 0.6-0.7 mile road walk here, but I didn't know which direction. I turned left on Wayah Road and went a half a mile before I realized I should have taken a right on Wayah and turned back around. However, as I was going towards the Phillips 66 convenience store, I found this awesome campsite right on the shores of the lake. It is really popular with fishers and the road really detracts from desirability of this location, but it is a beautiful campsite right on the serene waters of the Lake.
After getting back to the trail, I turned right on Wayah and followed it for a little over a half a mile until I finally reached Phillips 66 convenience store. On the way I passed a restaurant and other business on your left. Shortly after you pass the restaurant, you will come to convenience store. Here I waited for SB to pick me up and take me back to my car.
Another successful trip.
Previous Section: Buckeye Creek Trailhead to Wallace Branch Trailhead.
Next Section: Nantahala Lake to Cheoah Bald.
From here, the trail begins a moderate climb up to Jarrett Bald (85.5 miles) and finally steeply descends down to Nantahala Lake (88.1 miles). The trail dumps you off on Wayah Road with the lake directly in front of you. The waters of Nantahala Lake are simple stunning. Wine Spring also dumps into Nantahala Lake at this area and there are a few parking areas along Wayah Road. I knew I had a 0.6-0.7 mile road walk here, but I didn't know which direction. I turned left on Wayah Road and went a half a mile before I realized I should have taken a right on Wayah and turned back around. However, as I was going towards the Phillips 66 convenience store, I found this awesome campsite right on the shores of the lake. It is really popular with fishers and the road really detracts from desirability of this location, but it is a beautiful campsite right on the serene waters of the Lake.
After getting back to the trail, I turned right on Wayah and followed it for a little over a half a mile until I finally reached Phillips 66 convenience store. On the way I passed a restaurant and other business on your left. Shortly after you pass the restaurant, you will come to convenience store. Here I waited for SB to pick me up and take me back to my car.
Another successful trip.
Previous Section: Buckeye Creek Trailhead to Wallace Branch Trailhead.
Next Section: Nantahala Lake to Cheoah Bald.