Wesser Bald Hike

The grandsons and I picked a clear January day to hike to the Wesser Bald lookout tower. The hike starts at Tellico Gap (between Wayah Bald and the Nantahala Outdoor Center). From the parking area, just follow the Appalachian Trail about a mile and a half to the top of the mountain and you will see the 30 foot high platform with the incredible 360 degree view.

I love reading Earl Shaffer's (the1st A.T. thru hiker) account of his visit there in 1948. Of course it had a cabin built on it then, and was occupied by a lonely USFS Fire Warden. The man insisted he spend a stormy night there and then was reluctant to let him go in the morning. Seems that he was starving for company.

Earl described the sunrise that he witnessed there the next morning, "The storm has settled into surrounding valleys, leaving the highest peaks jutting like islands from a sea of fog. Then the sun rose, lighting a golden path across that misty sea. Seldom...have I seen anything to compare."

Winding Stair to Fontana Hike

I joined my brother Matt and AT buddy Floyd for a hike from Winding Stair Gap near Franklin to Fontana Dam last week. It's a beautiful and rugged 56 mile stretch of the Nantahalas and one of my favorite sections to hike.

Highlights (besides getting to spend time with Matt and Floyd) were: camping on the Wesser Bald tower with its spectacular sunsets and sunrises and unspoiled views, rolling into the Nantahala Outdoor Center for lunch, showers, and then packing pizza out for supper on the trail, walking among lots of old growth giants, seeing thousands of beautiful flame azaleas and mountain laurel in bloom, and listening to Floyd yelp as he stepped on a timber rattler! 

Did I mention we had beautiful weather? Thanks once again to Connie and Andrew Sampson who  provided us with yard camping, meals, and shuttle at Stecoah Gap!