Big Scaly Mountain Loop

The weather should be ideal, so.. Let's Go Backpacking!

Big Scaly is the mountain just below Standing Indian.  This backpack is a loop of about 11 miles and has roughly 2,500 feet of elevation gain (and loss...see trail profile below).  If you have not completed a D5 hike or backpack recently, expect to have some conversation with the trip leaders prior to the event. 

We will start by hiking up Chimney Rock trail. 

There is an optional quarter mile side trail to the right to view Chimney Rock if we have time.  You can climb Chimney Rock and enjoy the unusual view and a bit of rock climbing exhilaration.

There may be some overgrowth along part of the trail near the top.

Once we reach the top past Case Knife Gap (5-6 miles in and 2000 ft in elevation gain), we will select a campsite along the high flat valley below Big Scaly Mountain. There is a nice small creek running through the area for a water source. 

After setting up camp we can take the +/-1 mile (round trip) trail to the summit of Big Scaly Mountain at 5,060 feet and enjoy fine long range views (see pic above).  This is a western facing overlook so as an option we could gather wood for a fire, have an early dinner, and then hike to the summit for the sunset. 

On Sunday we'll get up, break camp and continue down Beech Creek trail. Then go down to Beech Creek (be prepared....could be a "wet foot" crossing!). We will follow the creek down scenic Beech Creek Gorge and down the switchbacks under the cliffs of Big Scaly Mountain. We can take the quarter mile side trail to view the 200 foot High Falls, and then come back to the main trail to continue on down.   You might want to have water shoes, though most times we're able to rock hop.

Then we go down to Beech Creek trail head. We will walk about a mile down this road to get back to the cars (or we can shuttle a few cars up the road on Saturday).

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER BACKPACK *** You must be in good physical condition and be able to hike long distances and keep a moderate pace. ***

There will be a carpool, but if you have not been vaccinated you can expect to drive by yourself.  It is recommended that you mask up if you ride with someone.. so be sure to check with your driver and other passengers.

Take I-85 N to I-985 N which turns into US 23/441 to Clayton GA. Pit stop at Ingles! (For bathrooms and "to go" only - we do not plan to sit down and eat.)  Then go West on US 76 about eight miles. Turn right on Persimmon Rd, near the volunteer fire department and sign for Tallulah River Campgrounds. Continue about 4.2 miles to left at Tallulah River Rd. This road will turn to gravel after a mile or so and leads thru gorge to Tate City. Follow to NC state line. Parking will come up when it dead ends.

The road leading to the trailhead is gravel, so if you are uncomfortable driving at a reasonable speed on gravel please sign up to ride in someone else's car.