Winding Stair Gap to Wayah Bald Firetower without missing Siler Bald

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Winding Stair Gap to Wayah Bald Firetower without missing Siler Bald

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Franklin, NC

Date(s) & Time:

Tue, Jul 15 2025 8:30 am >> Tue, Jul 15 2025 5:00 pm

Registration Opens:

Thu, Jun 26 2025 6:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Mon, Jul 14 2025 2:00 pm

Event Duration:

8 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D6: Advanced (Exploratory)

Distance:

20.3 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Leigh B

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

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:

Lets try to beat the heat and get up north a little bit for a great hike on the AT in NC in the beautiful Nantahala National Forest. We will start at Winding Stair Gap and make our way up the trail past a waterfall and a few campsites and take the sidetrail up to Siler Bald (5216 ft) at around the 4.5 mile mark. We should have 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains from the top.

We will head back down to pick up the AT and continue on the AT with lots of ups and downs until we reach the Wayah Bald Firetower (5342 ft) at just over the 10 mile mark. The stone observation tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. Here we will re-fuel with some lunch and then head back the way we came.

I have done this hike before but its been a while, hence the exploratory status. I will probably find myself a cheap hotel in Franklin the night before and have dinner in Franklin if anyone would care to join me. Once we see the sign ups I can add a carpool if we need one.

This is a training hike for me for an upcoming Alps trip. I am still recovering from being out with injuries so I anticipate the pace of this hike to be about 2.6/2.7 mph. Its not quite as fast as some D6 hikes posted but there will not be long stops or an extended lunch.

Please have recent D6 experience or i will have to contact you regarding your eligibility and I may move you to the waitlist. As a Trip Leader I insist my groups stay together, so its imperative we all can hike at the same level. Thank you for understanding.

Map looks a little funky as I custom added the second part of the trail to an existing map, but it will do the job. If you know me, you know I ain't tecchy so bear with me.

Required Items to Bring:

Water

Snacks and lunch

Hat/Sunscreen

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

Preferred electrolytes

Poles

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Directions to Trail Head

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DnGaTTWofmmS6C9F8

Notes:

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

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