SILER RIDGE (WAYAH TO WINDING STAIR)
Location: Western North Carolina
Trip Starts: NC 1310 (Wayah Gap)
Trip Ends: US 64 (Winding Stair Gap)
Total Distance: 5.9 miles
Hike Type: One-Way, Shuttle Hike
Hike Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Trails Used: Appalachian Trail
Trail Traffic: Moderate to Heavy
Trip Type: Day or Overnight Hike
More Information:
Nantahala National Forest
Cheoah District, Route 1, Box 16A
Robbinsville, NC 28771
828-479-6431
Highlights:
Siler Bald at 5,216 feet was named for William Siler whose great grandson, Reverend A. Rufus Morgan, helped establish the A.T. in North Carolina. The U.S. Forest Service clears and maintains the bald which has a grassy summit with spectacular (and nearly 360 degree) views from Tray Mountain to the Great Smoky Mountains. Wayah Bald, about six trail miles north, can also be seen to the north. This is a shuttle hike that starts at Wayah Gap on NC 1013 and follows the Appalachian Trail southbound to Winding Stair Gap on U.S. 64 about ten miles from Franklin, N.C.
Recommended:
Guidebook For This Area
Trail Map For This Area
More Details:
- click to see trail photos from this hike on the Appalachian Trail: March 4, 2000
- click to see more photos from this backpacking trip to Siler Bald: October 19, 1996, June 26, 2002
- click to view a detailed trip report of this walk in the Nantahala National Forest: March 4, 2000 (password required)
- click to read a photo journal from a camping trip to Snowbird Gap: June 26, 2002 (password required)
- click to view maps: Siler Bald Area Map, Siler Bald Gap Detailed Map (password required), Siler Bald Profile Map (password required), Wallace Gap to Licklog Gap Profile Map (password required), GA/NC Border to Wallace Gap Trail Map (password required)
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- click for the Long Trail discussion forum
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- click for Appalachian Trail hiking and backpacking books
- click to access the guidebook Appalachian Trail: Georgia-North Carolina which has details on this destination
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