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Siler Bald and Wine Spring Bald

Nantahala National Forest, NC Smokies + Southern Blue Ridge Mountains

Distance: 10.3 mi
Net Gain: 2,300 ft
Time: 4-6 hrs
YDS Rating: Class 1
Route: Out/Back
Peaks: 2

Effort: 3.8/10
Personality: 4/10
Beauty: 5/10
Solitude: 3.1/10

What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

Siler Bald
5,200′ elevation · 1,040′ prominence
Wine Spring Bald
5,440′ elevation · 1,680′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

35.153220, -83.581040

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Trip report

Jun 17, 2020 — This hike combines the trails for Siler Bald and Wine Spring Bald, starting from the Wayah Crest Trailhead. I started up Siler Bald first, and I'm happy I did since I had a few minutes of clear-ish skies enough to get some views before the fog rolled in. The trail is easy to follow and has a steep section through a pretty meadow toward the summit.

On my way back to start up to Wine Spring Bald, I noticed the Appalachian Trail bypasses the Wayah Crest Trailhead where my car was (see map), and crosses over Wayah Road before starting the ascent to Wine Spring Bald. The ascent up to Wine Spring Bald is pretty, but not particularly memorable, and it parallels a good dirt road most of the time. You can also drive to Wine Spring Bald, which is what a few people were doing as I dumbly walked up the trail. The AT merges with the Bartram Trail for a short time before a side trail veers to the right and leads to Wine Spring Bald. I'd recommend continuing along the Appalachian Trail from here to Wayah Bald (which apparently has some lovely views), but I didn't think it would be worth it since I had only fog up there. I'll have to return sometime. Anyway, the side trail leaves the AT, follows a service road for a short time and reached the summit, which just has towers and no view.

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Photos

29 photos

Starting up from the Wayah Crest Trailhead, first heading up to Siler Bald.
The trail hugs the slope, doing one major switchback to gain the ridge that would lead to Siler Bald.
The trail emerges from the trees into a meadow.
The trail keeps to the right at the top of the meadow to reach the summit.
Looking back at where the trail comes out from the trees.
Ascending to Siler Bald.
Looking back before the summit of Siler Bald.
Siler Bald.
Siler Bald, view west.
I bypassed the Wayah Crest Trailhead on the Appalachian Trail and continued across the road in order to get to Wine Spring Bald.
Looking back along the trail. I scared off a bear here. Well, it scared me too.
The trail parallels the road that leads to the Wayah Bald summit, unfortunately getting very close a couple of times.
Just typical forest walking.
The trail crosses the road, ascending some stairs on the opposite side.
Junction with the Bartram Trail, where the AT and the Bartram Trail merge for a bit.
A side trail on the right leads away from the AT and up to Wine Spring Bald. Continuing along the AT would lead to Wayah Bald, but the fog and fading light deterred me.
Short road walk to get to Wine Spring Bald.
Wine Spring Bald, nothing exciting.

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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