This 10.9 hike on the Bartram Trail will be a north to south hike, and be mostly a down hill walk in the Nantahala National Forest. The high point of this hike will be the beginning at Wayah Bald (5342 ft.) and the low point will be at the end at Wallace Branch Trailhead (2260 ft.).

At Wayah Bald there is a stone observation tower. The tower is dedicated to John Byrne, who was the chief ranger for the Nantahala National Forest and helped plan the route for the Appalachian Trail. From the tower one can see the Smokies to the northwest, Franklin and the Highlands Plateau to the east, and Rabun Bald, Standing Indian and the hazy mountains of Georgia to the south.

This hike will begin downhill from Wayah Bald towards Franklin. The first half mile of this hike will be concurrent with the Appalachian Trail.  5.3 miles into the hike we will come upon Harrison Gap, with the intersection of Foerest Service Road 713. We should have good views for the first 5 miles of the hike.

As we enter the Wallace Branch Trailhead we should have a waterfall.

This will be a one-way hike and will require an auto shuttle. Plan to spend 6 hours on the trail.

We will be meeting at the Franklin Burger King at 8:00 AM. We will leave the Burger King at 8:30 AM sharp for the trailheads.

The meeting place for this event will be the Fraklin Burger King which is located at: 130 Westgate Plaza Rd., Franklin, NC. 28734.

We will be leaving the Burger King for the Trailheads at 8:30 AM sharp.