Wayah Bald To Nantahala Outdoor Center
Day 1 - November 26, 2014
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Start Location: Wayah Bald, NC (119.9 miles) NOBO
End Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center (137.4 miles). 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 Tower (130.6 miles); The Jumpoff (133.0 miles). Water Sources: AT/Bartram Trail Campsite (120.5 miles); Stream (124.1 miles); Cold Spring Shelter (125.6 miles); Spring just before Wesser Bald Shelter (131.3); A. Rufus Morgan Shelter (136.3 miles); and multiple streams (136.9 miles). Campsites: Wayah Bald small campsite (119.9 miles); AT/Bartram Trail Campsite (120.5 miles); Cold Spring Shelter (125.6 miles); Wesser Bald Shelter (131.4); and A. Rufus Morgan Shelter (136.3 miles). Siler Bald (114.4 miles)AT Distance: 17.5 miles Hiking Distance: 18.2 miles |
This was my last section hike to complete before I finished the first 166.1 miles of the AT. I did it as a day hike. I met SB and two of her friends at NOC around 9:00, and I left my car there. We all got into SB's car and we drove to Tellico Gap where I dropped them off. I then drove to Wayah Bald. I got to Wayah Bald, and it was a beautiful day. I spent a good 15-20 minutes on the tower taking pictures and taking the views in. I also talked to someone who had trail magic at the summit. After talking to him and some other overnight hikers, I decided it was time to hike. It was close to 11 am, when I started to make my way down Wayah Bald.
I was trying out for the first time my new hiking boots. My old boots were good. I understand why they are popular, but they weren't for me. They were a little to narrow in the toe box, and I suffered (and, more than 2 weeks of rest later, continue to suffer) big toe numbness. I do like how my "break in hike" for new boots is a 18 mile day hike., but the boots held up well. My big toe didn't hurt quite as much as normal, but I am not sure if that is due to not having a pack on or the new boot.
Immediately leaving the summit of Wayah Bald, you begin to descend down the mountain. This is the first time I encountered ice on the trail, and it made me slow down my pace on the rockier sections of the descent. The first .6 miles of this descent, the AT is joined by the Bartram trail until you reach a large campsite (120.5 miles) where AT turns left and the Bartram Trail turns right.
I continued to descend as I reach Wayah Bald Shelter (120.8 miles). This is a descent sized shelter with several "cut-out" tent sites. There is also water at this shelter. After leaving Wayah Bald Shelter, I continue to descend Wayah Bald until it starts to level of for about 1/2 a mile before you reach Licklog Gap (122.1 miles).
Leaving Licklog, I started a short 300 foot climb which allowed for some fantastic winter views and had several pull-offs directly off the trail for some views. I then began a constant descent to Burningtown Gap (124.4 miles) which appears to be off a well-paved road with a large parking lot. After taking some pictures, I keep pushing forward.
I was making good time. I was hoping to meet the others who were going SOBO from Tellico Gap at Cold Spring Shelter. Shortly after starting the 800 climb out of Burningtown Gap to Cooper Ridge Bald (126.3 miles), I met SB and the others. We decided to have lunch/snack right on the trail. We exchanged information about the upcoming portions of each others trail. After a nice 15 minute break, I was off. I quickly reached Cold Gap Shelter (125.6 miles), which is right on the trail. There is also a great water source at this shelter. I filled up some water and kept pushing on, but I didn't get very far before I stopped again. I had reached a very, very large campsite (both to the east and west of the trail). The one to the east of the trail had several campsites close to the ridge which offered some pretty good views. I want to say the campsite was no more than .2 from Cold Gap Shelter.
I continued to climb until I reached Cooper Ridge Bald (126.3 miles), which offers some decent views. From here the trail starts a series of short descents and climbs over the next 1.2 miles until you reach a side trail which is marked Rocky Bald (127.5 miles). You absolutely should take this moderately steep .2 mile side trail up to the summit, which offers some stunning views. I promise you, you will not regret it. After taking several pictures and spending 15 minutes on Rocky Bald, I returned to the trail and started my 1.7 mile 1,300 foot descent down to Tellico Gap (129.2 miles).
I had come about 10 miles and still have another 8 miles to do, but I thought it was a good place for a quick break. I ate 2 clif bars and drank some water. After a short 10 minute, break I start my 800 foot climb up to Wesser Bald. Tellico Gap was very busy this day as it appears to be a popular day hike location. I talked to some day hikers and one asked me which way to Wesser Bald. Instead of being the ass I usually am and pointing to the sign in plain site, I just say "follow me. I heading there now." After talking to them for a while, I decided to leave the group and pull out ahead. The climb is constant and moderately steep, but it is over in 1.2 miles so it isn't that bad of a climb. Just put your head down and don't stop or slow down until you reach the top. That is what I tell myself before every significant climb.
I reach Wesser Bald fire tower (130.6 miles) in good time. I make my way up the fire tower and I am blown away by the 360 degree views offered. There a lot of day hikers, so I ask one of them to take a picture of me. I also take more pictures than any one person should. I feel in love with Wesser Bald. I will return for a day hike without a doubt. All in all, I probably spent close to 30 minutes on the fire tower taking pictures, taking in the views, and talking to other hikers.
Before I leave, I drink some water and eat my last clif bar. Shortly after leaving Wesser, I encounter a man hunting (I don't know what) right on the trail. This made me seriously uncomfortable. I told him that I would be hiking below him and he said not to worry. The descent from Wesser Bald had several switchbacks, which kept taking me away from and back toward the hunter. Hearing shots as I hiked sure as hell gave me a little extra motivation to hike faster.
Once I reached the base of Wesser Bald, the trail leveled off and there were a series of very short ups and down. After a while, I finally reached the Jumpoff (133 miles), which had some decent views. It was all down hill from here. The trail loses about 2,300 + feet of elevation until you reach NOC. About a mile from NOC, A. Rufus Morgan Shelter (136.3 miles) can be seen from the trail. A mile later, I had reached NOC (137.3 miles). It was about 5:15 when I reached my car.
A successful day hike with some views that I know I will want to see again and again. As I had previously done NOC to Fontana Dam, I finally finished the southern 166.4 miles of the AT. Next, comes the Great Smokies!
I was trying out for the first time my new hiking boots. My old boots were good. I understand why they are popular, but they weren't for me. They were a little to narrow in the toe box, and I suffered (and, more than 2 weeks of rest later, continue to suffer) big toe numbness. I do like how my "break in hike" for new boots is a 18 mile day hike., but the boots held up well. My big toe didn't hurt quite as much as normal, but I am not sure if that is due to not having a pack on or the new boot.
Immediately leaving the summit of Wayah Bald, you begin to descend down the mountain. This is the first time I encountered ice on the trail, and it made me slow down my pace on the rockier sections of the descent. The first .6 miles of this descent, the AT is joined by the Bartram trail until you reach a large campsite (120.5 miles) where AT turns left and the Bartram Trail turns right.
I continued to descend as I reach Wayah Bald Shelter (120.8 miles). This is a descent sized shelter with several "cut-out" tent sites. There is also water at this shelter. After leaving Wayah Bald Shelter, I continue to descend Wayah Bald until it starts to level of for about 1/2 a mile before you reach Licklog Gap (122.1 miles).
Leaving Licklog, I started a short 300 foot climb which allowed for some fantastic winter views and had several pull-offs directly off the trail for some views. I then began a constant descent to Burningtown Gap (124.4 miles) which appears to be off a well-paved road with a large parking lot. After taking some pictures, I keep pushing forward.
I was making good time. I was hoping to meet the others who were going SOBO from Tellico Gap at Cold Spring Shelter. Shortly after starting the 800 climb out of Burningtown Gap to Cooper Ridge Bald (126.3 miles), I met SB and the others. We decided to have lunch/snack right on the trail. We exchanged information about the upcoming portions of each others trail. After a nice 15 minute break, I was off. I quickly reached Cold Gap Shelter (125.6 miles), which is right on the trail. There is also a great water source at this shelter. I filled up some water and kept pushing on, but I didn't get very far before I stopped again. I had reached a very, very large campsite (both to the east and west of the trail). The one to the east of the trail had several campsites close to the ridge which offered some pretty good views. I want to say the campsite was no more than .2 from Cold Gap Shelter.
I continued to climb until I reached Cooper Ridge Bald (126.3 miles), which offers some decent views. From here the trail starts a series of short descents and climbs over the next 1.2 miles until you reach a side trail which is marked Rocky Bald (127.5 miles). You absolutely should take this moderately steep .2 mile side trail up to the summit, which offers some stunning views. I promise you, you will not regret it. After taking several pictures and spending 15 minutes on Rocky Bald, I returned to the trail and started my 1.7 mile 1,300 foot descent down to Tellico Gap (129.2 miles).
I had come about 10 miles and still have another 8 miles to do, but I thought it was a good place for a quick break. I ate 2 clif bars and drank some water. After a short 10 minute, break I start my 800 foot climb up to Wesser Bald. Tellico Gap was very busy this day as it appears to be a popular day hike location. I talked to some day hikers and one asked me which way to Wesser Bald. Instead of being the ass I usually am and pointing to the sign in plain site, I just say "follow me. I heading there now." After talking to them for a while, I decided to leave the group and pull out ahead. The climb is constant and moderately steep, but it is over in 1.2 miles so it isn't that bad of a climb. Just put your head down and don't stop or slow down until you reach the top. That is what I tell myself before every significant climb.
I reach Wesser Bald fire tower (130.6 miles) in good time. I make my way up the fire tower and I am blown away by the 360 degree views offered. There a lot of day hikers, so I ask one of them to take a picture of me. I also take more pictures than any one person should. I feel in love with Wesser Bald. I will return for a day hike without a doubt. All in all, I probably spent close to 30 minutes on the fire tower taking pictures, taking in the views, and talking to other hikers.
Before I leave, I drink some water and eat my last clif bar. Shortly after leaving Wesser, I encounter a man hunting (I don't know what) right on the trail. This made me seriously uncomfortable. I told him that I would be hiking below him and he said not to worry. The descent from Wesser Bald had several switchbacks, which kept taking me away from and back toward the hunter. Hearing shots as I hiked sure as hell gave me a little extra motivation to hike faster.
Once I reached the base of Wesser Bald, the trail leveled off and there were a series of very short ups and down. After a while, I finally reached the Jumpoff (133 miles), which had some decent views. It was all down hill from here. The trail loses about 2,300 + feet of elevation until you reach NOC. About a mile from NOC, A. Rufus Morgan Shelter (136.3 miles) can be seen from the trail. A mile later, I had reached NOC (137.3 miles). It was about 5:15 when I reached my car.
A successful day hike with some views that I know I will want to see again and again. As I had previously done NOC to Fontana Dam, I finally finished the southern 166.4 miles of the AT. Next, comes the Great Smokies!