AT Hike - TN 91 to Watauga Dam Road

This was a nice hike of 16 miles on a relatively flat section of the AT. Mostly a ridge running hike with a nice descent at the end to Lake Wilber. The hike took about 9 hours, with only a short delay as we waited for a timber rattler to vacate the trail. This ws a nicely maintained trail.

Next to the trail on Iron Mountain was a memorial to Uncle Nick Grindstaff. A hermit that lived theer for over 40 years. He passed away in 1923.

Lovely froest hike with lots of ridge running.

This is a long day hike that begins at a parking area about 0.4 miles from the AT. 

There is a gain of about 500 feet in the first 2.5 miles of the hike. Then it begins a long ridge run for the next 10.5 miles on Iron Mountain. Then a 3 mile descent of about 1400 feet begins, and ends at Watauga Dam Road.

At about 3 miles into the hike we will come across a monument to Nick Grandstaff, a hermit that lived on Iron Mountain for about 45 years.

There are two shelters on this hike, Good places to rest and have lunch.

Plan to be on the trail for 10 hours on this hike.

We will be leaving the meeting place for the trailheads a 8:00 AM sharp.