April 25, 2006
| This week’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Wayah Gap to Wayah Bald and back. This is a beautiful hike in high elevations (5,342 ft.) west of Franklin, NC. About half-way out, the A.T. joins the Bartram Trail on up to Wayah Bald. We also did the short trail down the the Historic Wilson Lick Ranger Station.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Jack Jacobi, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Bob Thompson. TRAIL INFO. – The trail is in excellent condition and is considered moderately difficult due to elevation change. Total hiking distance today, approx. 9 miles. Directions: From Franklin, travel west on US 64 for 3 miles to Old Murphy Road where there is a Wayah Bald sign. Turn right and drive .2 mile to Wayah Road (SR 1310). Turn left and continue for 9 miles to Wayah Gap and FR 69. (Wayah Crest Picnic Area is on the left.) Another great day for a hike! Cloudy to partly cloudy temperatures ranging from the low 50’s to the upper 60’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Serviceberry, Witch Hobble, Sassafras, Trout Lily, Spring Beauty, Wood Anemone, Bloodroot, Cut-leafed Toothwort, Star Chickweed, Robin’s Plaintain, Yellow Round-leafed Violet, Canada Violet, Halberd-leafed Violet, Purple Violet, Dutchman’s Breeches, Squirrel Corn,Cinquefoil, Buttercup, Golden Alexander, Squawroot, Small Bellwort, Sedge, Wild Strawberry, Bluet, Red Erect Trillium, Blue Cohosh, Wood Betony, Golden Ragwort and Meadow Rue. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Dark-eyed Junco, Dark-headed Vireo, Catbird, Black and White Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Veery, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Ovenbird, and Robin. |
 We parked at Wayah Crest parking lot and hiked to Wayah Bald. The trail sign near the start. |
 The first viewpoint! |
 Trail blazes for the A.T. and Bartram Trail. |
 We took the side trip down to Wilson Lick Ranger Station. |
 The Wayah Bald Tower – Our lunch spot! |
 Nice views from the tower, even on a cloudy day! |
 A friendly Catbird visited at lunchtime! |
 Looking from Wayah Bald over to Siler Bald. |
 A nice educational kiosk at Wayah Bald. |
 Some of today’s wildflowers. (top left-clockwise) Spring Beauty, Viburnum (Hobblebush), Trout Lily, and Wood Anemone. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Tony Presley and Bruce O’Connor. (l-r standing) Jack Jacobi, Wayne Miller, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Thompson, Donna Presley, Dan Ross, Bob Presley, Doug Russell, and Phil Brownrigg. |