South Beyond 6000 - Waterrock Knob to Plott Balsam Mt.

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South Beyond 6000 - Waterrock Knob to Plott Balsam Mt.

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Waterrock Knob - Blue Ridge Parkway

Hike: South Beyond 6000 - Waterrock Knob to Plott Balsam Mt.

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Aug 4 2018 9:45 am >> Sat, Aug 4 2018 7:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 6:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Wed, Jul 25 2018 7:18 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Aug 3 2018 3:00 pm

Event Duration:

9 Hours 15 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult (Exploratory)

Distance:

11 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Mark P

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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:

8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

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:

Join me as we summit 4 of the tallest mountains in the southeast. Waterrock Knob (6292'), Mount Lyn Lowery (6240'), Plott Balsam Mountain (6088'), and Yellow Face (6032').

After our drive, we'll start at the Waterrock Knob Visitors Center, hiking up the paved trail 1/2 mile to the summit of Waterrock Knob. After a few quick pictures, we'll backtrack a short distance and then pick up an unmarked trail heading east that we will follow for about 2 miles to the summit of Lyn Lowery. After a short break atop Mt. Lyn Lowery, we'll head following a combination of unmarked trails and old roads to the summit of Plott Balsam. After a short break for lunch, we'll return to the paring lot and cross the Blue Ridge Parkway to hike the 1/2 mile trail to the summit of Yellow Face Mountain.

These trails/paths are mostly unmaintained and could be overgrown. I recommend wearing long pants and possibly bringing gloves in case there are briars.

I've hiked most of this route with the exception of the section between Lyn Lowery and Plott Balsam. Its unmarked and unmaintained, but should be pretty easy to follow. I'll have my GPS, so we should have no trouble finding our way.

Additional info on the Plott-Balsam Mountains

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plo tt_Balsams

Since this hike is along a high exposed ridge, if there is a chance of thunder/lightening, I'll reschedule the event.

Required Items to Bring:

Boots/Shoes

Long Pants

Water, 2-3 liters

Snacks and lunch

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

Sunscreen

Insect Repellant

Hiking Poles

Camera

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

From the Park and Ride, go north on I85 to the left exit for I985. Stay on the road all the way to Franklin, NC. In Fraklin, take the right turn/exit to stay on US441/23. Stay on this roadto Sylva, NC where 441 and 23 split. Stay on US23 to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Balsam Gap. Turn left on the Parkway access road and then turn right on the parkway. Stay on the parkway to the Waterrock Knob Visitors Center at mile 451.2

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

280Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

6:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $112.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

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

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