Weser Bald

Did the AT section from Wayah Gap north to Wesser 9/18 - 20. Rain the first day. Not too bad. Not many postable pics. You know the type. Hiking buddy dueling with Bob the Shelter Mouse etc etc. I do have one awesome exposure from Wesser Bald Firetower looking west. It was threatening rain the whole way up, but just as we climbed the tower the clouds lifted and reminded me why I love this stuff so much.

Gettin' There

Follow route 28 North out of Franklin. Turn left across the new white concrete "lost bridge" onto Tellico Road. Follow this road as it climbs through scenic Tellico valley, turns to a gravel road, passes Tellico Trout farm, and finally climbs steeply up to the gap. There's a lot of parking space at the gap, and you want to follow the Appalachian Trail (AT) North - (away from the power-line and starting next to the fire-road). The trail is a graded but persistent climb all the way up to the summit. At the summit, there is a short (100 ft.) but not completely obvious side-trail to the right to the tower. From the tower, there are views in all directions - to the North, you see the Smoky Mtns. across Fontana Lake (only bits of the lake are visible), the Balsam Mtns.(with visible parkway) to the NE with the Cowee Mtns. a little nearer. East is the Tellico Valley, and the Little Tennessee River valley. South there is the Nantahala ridge, hiding Wayah Bald, but Winespring Bald shows it's towers. To the West are the Valley River Mtns, the Snowbirds, and the Slickrock Range.

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