Plott Balsam Mountains peakbagging - Waterrock Knob Park, NC

Описание: **The observation tower shown starting at 08:02 is on private property and is off-limits to hikers. Additionally, the boundary trail that leads to the tower passes by a cabin west of the tower. The cabin owner has constructed a 600-yard bypass trail north of the original boundary trail that diverts hikers away from the private property. This trail is blazed yellow and should be obvious with No Trespassing signs at the trail junction. All hikers should use this new bypass trail to reach Mt. Lyn Lowry to avoid the private property at the landowner's wishes. They contacted me directly with this information to accommodate hikers.**

This hike was along the crest of the Plott Balsam Mountains to bag 3 ranked 6,000 ft peaks as I try to finish the South Beyond 6000 Challenge. Starting at the Waterrock Knob Visitors Center, the popular trail first climbs to Waterrock Knob (6,292 ft). From there I followed an unofficial trail east along the old NPS boundary. Browning Knob (6,240 ft) had an excellent view southwest of the Plott Balsams and southeast of the Great Balsams, plus a Cessna airplane crash from 1983 below the summit. The trail continued over Fork Ridge with a few more viewpoints.

In an open field near a cabin is a curious wooden observation deck. The deck offered my favorite view of the hike since you could see most of the Great Smokies to the northwest in addition to southwest views of the Plott Balsams. On the east side of Mt Lyn Lowry (6,240+ ft) is a 60-foot cross that is lit up at night. From there you have great views east of Mt Pisgah and Cold Mt, plus the Black Mtns further northeast. Plott Balsam is the big peak immediately northeast, and Cataloochee Divide and Mt Sterling are to the northwest. A steep trail descends the mountain and connects with an old forest road. To summit Plott Balsam you have to leave the road and follow faint manways to the 6,088 ft summit. The hike was slower than expected, but the views were also much better than expected.

Hike was 9.1 miles in 6 hours and 10 minutes.

Hike location
https://goo.gl/maps/pQFrnsgFHUWmMs339

Hike report
https://www.hikingupward.com/NCSP/Wat...