April Ensemble Part 1 Beyond WAYAH - Sat, Apr 25 2026

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



April Ensemble Part 1 Beyond WAYAH


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Sawmill Gap Parking, National Forest Rd, Topton, NC 28781   Hike: April Ensemble Part 1 Beyond WAYAH  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 25 2026  9:00 am >> Sat, Apr 25 2026 3:30 pm
Registration Opens: Mon, Apr 6 2026 6:25 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Apr 22 2026 6:00 pm
Event Duration:6 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:14 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Deema
Kip
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

 

April ensemble includes Wayah Bald on Saturday and Siler Bald on Sunday. 

Two remarkable peaks offering breathtaking views for our lunch retreat.

 

We’ll head east on Bartram Trail, a few miles beyond the Fire Tower, then we will turn around to make our way back to the Wayah Viewpoint for lunch after we’ve finished 9 miles of the hike.

Prompt start 9am

 

13-14 miles

3400 ft elevation gain

AllTrails Beyond Wayah

Sawmill Gap Parking

This is an out and back trail.

 

PACE

While some would still consider it fast-ish, professional hikers would say it's a moderate pace. We’ll have plenty of time for lunch so we can soak in the beautiful views.

LODGING (optional)

If you are thinking of joining the two hikes for April Ensemble, it's a good idea to book your place early for the accommodations.

We will be in Franklin starting Friday evening, both Carolina Motel and Colonial Inn would work well for this trip. 

Make sure your booking is REFUNDABLE.

CARPOOL

We will make best effort to match people to ride together if they are interested in joining one or both hikes, but there is no official carpool.

GOOD TO KNOW

1-    Pants are recommended, AllTrails reviews says that some parts are overgrown.

2-    We might hear gunshots from Dirty John Shooting Range, but we won’t be in any danger, I think!

3-    We’ve been to parts of the trail only; hence this hike is marked exploratory.

4-    Expect a "later" lunch, around 1pm, instead the usual "Noonish"

 


Required Items to Bring:

 

- Plenty of water 

- Sun Protection

- Bug Spray (maybe)

- Poison Ivy Wipes (if it's your thing)

- Lunch & Snacks

 

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

 

Trailhead: Sawmill Gap Parking, National Forest Rd, Topton, NC 28781

Google Map Sawmill Gap Parking


Notes:


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.