Siler's Bald: A great beginner's hike
By George Owen

Photo by George Owen A hiker examines Siler Bald's summit elevation marker.

Are you seeking a hike that offers one of the best vistas in the Southern Appalachians for modest physical effort? Then the trip to the summit of Siler Bald near Franklin in southwestern North Carolina may be just the ticket for you. This trek of less than four miles round trip has been a Franklin, NC elementary school annual walk for a decade.

It utilizes the Appalachian Trail, the world's most famous footpath, marked by 2X6-inch white blazes on trees. Begin at Wayah Gap on State Road 1310 west of Franklin, elevation 4,180.* Park by turning left on the first unpaved gravel road immediately past the gap, ending in a parking area. Return afoot to the paved road and the AT, or shortcut through the picnic area on a connecting trail to the AT, to begin your hike, turning right (south).

Soon, after walking on sidehill trail around the mountain, one crosses onto the ridge. Walking this almost a mile, you eventually arrive at the grassy gap (4,980 ft.), completing 1.7 miles. To the right 0.2 mile towers the summit of Siler Bald.

Up you ascend sharply onto the open, grassy bald on an unmarked path. Reach the monument on top at 5,216 ft., just 64 feet below a mile above sea level. You've climbed barely over a thousand feet since leaving your vehicle. Views on this clear day sweep away for fifty miles and perhaps more. Few trees mar this 360-degree vista.

Awesome! The northern horizon features towering Wayah Bald and Winespring summit. Nearby to the west is remote Tusquitee Range and Lake Nantahala. Southwest with observation tower is Brasstown Bald in Georgia; almost due south looms Standing Indian, at 5,498 the tallest peak south of the Smokies.

Southeastward towers Rabun Bald, Georgia's second highest peak. To the east rocky Whiteside Mountain trumps the others. To the northeast are the Balsams featuring peaks over 6,000 feet; the range is traversed by the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. Linger awhile, and in the words of Benton MacKaye, "See, and see what you see."

Time finally to travel home. Return the way you came, downhill all the way. Total roundtrip walk: 3.8 miles, elevation change 1,036 ft.

*DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD: Several miles west of Franklin on U.S. 64, turn north at sign for Wayah Bald. Go 0.2 mile. Turn left onto Wayah Rd. (SR 1310), and continue almost nine miles to Wayah Gap, highest point on the road. Trail and parking on left, gravel road to Wayah Bald on right.