Backpacking Big Scaly

This backpacking trip involves a loop hike where we will camp about a mile from the summit of Big Scaly mountain at over 5,000 feet in elevation. 

We will park our cars in a parking lot across the Tallulah River Rd. from the Beech Creek Trailhead.  We'll start out hiking about 1.2 miles along the Tallulah River Rd where we will reach the official trailhead.  We'll gain about 2,000 feet in elevation over the next three miles to Case Knife Gap.  The loop continues for about 1/2 mile to our campsite.  We'll set up camp and eat lunch.  After lunch, we'll begin gathering firewood.  Around 3:00, we'll hike about a mile up to the summit of Big Scaly Mountain and gain about 350 feet in elevation.  Then we'll return to our campsite.  In the evening, you will each be responsible for making your own dinner.  Then we'll gather around and light up the wood we have collected throughout the afternoon for a nice evening fire. 

There is a nice small creek adjacent to our campsite that provides a great water source.  You will need to filter the water (If you don't have a water filter, let us know - there are generally enough people bringing filters that it is not an imposition to borrow a filter.).  Also, if you do not own a stove, let us know in advance.  We will have enough stoves, but we want to make sure we bring enough fuel for everyone who needs it.

We should have a relatively leisurely morning making breakfast and enjoying your favorite morning beverage (i.e., coffee or tea).  I'll leave it up to the group to decide when we should disembark.

Sunday's hike continues along Beech Creek for about 3.5 miles, mostly downhill.  We will have several water crossings, including the last crossing where your feet will likely get wet.  You may want to bring a pair of water shoes/crocs if you want to avoid getting your hiking shoes wet.

After the hike, we'll have the option of stopping for lunch at Universal Joint in Clayton.

If you navigate by GPS (i.e., Google maps or Apple maps), plug in Tate City.  This will get you onto Tallulah River Rd.  You will have to continue on Tallulah River Rd. beyond Tate City for a couple of miles where you will see a large parking area on your left just after passing a tiny trailhead sign on both sides of the road.  From Clayton, go West on US 76 for about eight miles. Turn right on Persimmon Rd, near the volunteer fire department and sign for Tallulah River Campgrounds. Continue about 4.2 miles and take a left at Tallulah River Rd. This road will turn to gravel after a mile or so and leads thru the gorge to Tate City. Trailhead parking is located about 1,000 feet beyond the NC state line and will be located on your left.  There is no cell signal in this area, so we won't have any way of communicating with you if you take a wrong turn.