Big Bald from Sams Gap in Pisgah National Forest, NC

Hike Big Bald from Sams Gap Pisgah National Forest, NC

Class 1 12.8 miles 3800 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Jun 20, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Big Bald from Sams Gap GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

Big Bald from Sams Gap is a popular hike along the Appalachian Trail. Another route coming from the east along the AT is possible, but I figured I'd do the more standard approach. From the trailhead, the AT climbs slowly toward Big Bald. There was an unexpected surprise meadow before West Street Gap Peak, a minor summit along the way. The meadow offered me the only views for the day since the Big Bald summit was foggy for me, unfortuantely.

From West Street Gap Peak, the AT descends to an ATV road before starting the long haul to Big Bald. The last mile gets steeper, more lush, and slightly less well-maintained, but it's still very easy to stay on the trail.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
West Street Gap Peak
4440 ft
320 rise
2
Big Bald
5516 ft
2556 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Starting from the Sams Gap Trailhead. You can see I-26 on the right and cars at the trailhead in the center.
Starting from the Sams Gap Trailhead. You can see I-26 on the right and cars at the trailhead in the center.
Image 1 from gallery
Forested trail for a while.
Forested trail for a while.
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
Ascending slowly to West Street Gap Peak.
Ascending slowly to West Street Gap Peak.
Meadows just past West Street Gap Peak. Big Bald visible in the clouds ahead.
Meadows just past West Street Gap Peak. Big Bald visible in the clouds ahead.
Image 7 from gallery
I loved this little section of meadow, especially because it would be the only views I'd see. Big Bald was covered in fog when I got there.
I loved this little section of meadow, especially because it would be the only views I'd see. Big Bald was covered in fog when I got there.
After passing an ATV road at Street Gap.
After passing an ATV road at Street Gap.
The slow ascent to Big Bald.
The slow ascent to Big Bald.
Looking back along the Appalachian Trail, heading to Big Bald.
Looking back along the Appalachian Trail, heading to Big Bald.
Image 12 from gallery
The trail gets a little steeper as it ascends.
The trail gets a little steeper as it ascends.
Image 14 from gallery
Image 15 from gallery
Although easy to follow, the trail that started out being wide and well-maintained became slightly more overgrown.
Although easy to follow, the trail that started out being wide and well-maintained became slightly more overgrown.
Image 17 from gallery
Image 18 from gallery
Meadows before Big Bald.
Meadows before Big Bald.
Pretty meadows on Big Bald, despite the fog.
Pretty meadows on Big Bald, despite the fog.
Image 21 from gallery
Image 22 from gallery
Image 23 from gallery
Image 24 from gallery
Big Bald summit.
Big Bald summit.
My meager view to the east from the summit of Big Bald.
My meager view to the east from the summit of Big Bald.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!