Rich Mountain Fire Tower Appalachian Trail Hot Springs NC
Hike to Rich Mountain Fire Tower on the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs North Carolina.
Hot Springs, NC A Trail Town on the Appalachian Trail
Hot Springs is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. It is one of many trail towns located on the Appalachian Trail. The population was 560 at the 2010 census.
Elevation: 1,332′
FRYINGPAN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER DISCOVERY
Come explore the Fryingpan Fire Tower with me and the perilous climb! Please subscribe and watch my other videos! See more at:
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The United States Forest Service built the 70-ft. tall tower in 1941. It is the tallest USFS lookout tower in Western North Carolina, and it is now on the National Register of Historic Places. A few tall communication towers share the summit, but they only interfere slightly with the panoramic views.
The steel tower atop the 5,340-ft. Fryingpan Mountain was built for extensive views to watch for fires until the early 1990s. Today, only hikers enjoy the views from the tower. Although the very top of the tower is locked, you can climb five flights of stairs to just underneath the top platform.
The mountain received its name from neighboring Fryingpan Gap. Pioneers named the gap, but no one is sure why. One story centers on the odd shape of a spring in the gap. Another story tells of a frying pan that was always hanging in a tree in the camp.
The panoramic views include a close-up view of majestic Cold Mountain (peak is just five miles away). Mt. Pisgah is just 2.5 miles north. Looking south is Looking Glass Rock. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is visible northwest and Shining Rock Wilderness area to the southwest.
Grand Promenade walking trail Hot Springs AR
Grand Promenade Walking Trail Hot Springs
Appalachian Trail: Allen Gap to Hot Springs, NC
A day hike between Allen Gap (NC208, TN70) and the south side of Hot Springs, NC. The AT hiking distance is approximately 14.8 miles (33.5 km). All videos are from July 12, 2015. Highlights include Allen Gap, Deep Gap, Spring Mountain Shelter, Hurricane Gap, Rich Mountain Fire Tower, Tanyard Gap, Mill Ridge Pond, Pump Gap, Lover's Leap, Hot Springs, and a bunch of flowers. Shuttle by Bluff Mountain Outfitters.
Venturing Crew 222- Appalachian Trail 2013 Fire Tower N. of Hot Springs N.C.
Here is a old video I just found on my phone June 2013 Appalachian Trail I believe.
Max Patch Mountain Near Hot Springs During the Fall
This video was taken in mid October of 2012 on the summit of Max Patch Mountain, one of the few bald head mountains in NC where the top of the mountain has been cleared. Awesome place to see the beautiful night sky and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains in the fall, absorbing the fall foliage. The Appalachian Trail goes right across the top of Max Patch.
North Carolina State Road 1318, 208 and Hot Springs Scenic Routes 2017 4K
I did about 100 miles loop around Asheville NC using the America Rides Maps getting on HWY 26 North of Asheville and connecting on State Road 1318 Big Laurel Rd , N HWY 25 going thru the town of Hot Springs NC and State Road 209 South and back to HWY 40 to Asheville NC.
Music credit:
Lars-Luis Linek- Blues Harp Shuffle
Lazy Lester-Alligator Shuffle
David Cutter-Brazil
Equipment :
Gopro Hero5
DJI mavic Pro
BUMPY ROADS, THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL, AND A FIRE TOWER!
Join me on bumpy roads and a short hike as I take a spur trail off the Appalachian Trail to go up to the Rich Mountain Fire Tower. Please subscribe and watch my other videos! See more at:
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Near Hot Springs is the historic fire lookout tower on Rich Mountain (3,643 ft.), located in Madison County in the Pisgah National Forest. From the top of the tower, enjoy beautiful panoramic mountain views. You can access the tower by car or by hiking the Appalachian Trail. However you cannot climb it any longer.
To access the tower by car or foot, take US 25/70 east for 2.8 miles from Hot Springs. Look for the Appalachian bridge that crosses the highway at Tanyard Gap. Just past the bridge, turn left on a paved side road. Immediately, you have a choice to turn right or left.
The Rich Mountain Carriage Road then winds uphill around a meadow before splitting into a loop around the summit of Rich Mountain. Along this loop and the twisting trail to the summit you’ll get views of the lower elevations of the park, Flat Top Mountain, and Grandfather Mountain.
North Carolina, Rich Mountain (3,643 ft.) offers spectacular 360 degrees views from the historic lookout tower situated on the summit. There are several possible routes to the summit but the primary artery is the Appalachian Trail (section 14). Rich Mountain can be accessed at any time of year. The best seasons to visit Rich Mountain is during the fall, winter and early spring. If backpacking from Hot Springs, the hike is strenuous (2,201 ft elev. gain). The hike from Tanyard Gap is relatively steep but not all that difficult for experienced hikers.
The lookout tower was erected by the United States Forest Service in 1932. The F-7 Civilian Conservation Corps Camp from Hot Springs began manning the tower in 1933. The tower itself is 30 feet high and capped by a 14-by-14-foot live-in cab. The tower was actively staffed until the 1990s, however, it ceased to be a live-in lookout in the 1970s. The USFS used the Rich Mountain lookout in 2001 as a communication and observation post during the Larman fire that burned 2,700 acres in the Pisgah National Forest and threatened the town of Hot Springs.
Big Laural Creek near Hot Springs, NC
Shot this video in June 2011 while hiking the Laural River Trail with my cousin. The lighting was perfect.
Bluff Mountain Outfitters Tour: Hot Springs
This is the first Outfitters that is actually on the Appalachian Trail since Neel Gap heading NOBO. A popular place to fine-tune any adjustments getting out of the Smoky's.
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Lonsdale, MN 55046
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Hot Springs Downtown Tour
Link to my Finalized Appalachian Trail Gear List:
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Shuckstack Fire Tower Hike and Climb from Fontana Lake
A climb up the old Shuckstack fire tower after canoeing to campsite 90 (Eagle Creek) and hiking up the Lost Cove Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. September 9, 2012.
We paddled in from Fontana Marina to campsite 90 (remember to make a reservation!). Leaving our camping gear at the campsite, we hiked up the Lost Cove Trail to the Appalachian Trail (about 3.1 miles). Hang a left on the AT and go another 0.2-0.3 miles to a spur trail leading right for the AT and left to the tower (no signage). Continue another 200 yards or so up to Shuckstack. This route is tough in terms of elevation gain. There are no switchbacks along the Lost Cove Trail and most of the elevation gain is over the last two miles (the first mile is following the Lost Cove stream at the stream's slope--not much gain). There are plenty of water crossings in that first miles. Anywhere from 12-20 wet crossings, depending on recent rainfall amounts. Be in shape for this hike and do not under estimate it.
At the base of the tower is the remnants of a cabin. I assume that was the shelter for the folks manning the tower. The tower itself looks to be in relatively great shape as far as the steel is concerned. The footings are eroding a bit around the concrete, but nothing too scary. The wood is certainly weathered, but all steps are in place as of September 2012 and none of them flex or creak. The room at the top of the tower could use some help though. The floor is sturdy, but has some signs of rot. Two of the four walls are missing their interior layer (exposing the studs). Only a few panes of glass are missing from the windows. The roof has a large hole and is in a very active phase of rotting out.
This tower is well worth the effort to hike up to. It's the best view I've yet to experience in the Park (compared to Clingmans Dome and several balds--admittedly not the full list of vistas...yet!). You can also day hike up from Fontana Dam along the AT, but expect a steep grade on that trail as well.
Music is Moon Man by the Infamous Stringdusters. Video shot and edited on an iPhone 4s.
Grand Promenade - Hot Springs National Park
Rich Mountain - Moses Cone Memorial Park, NC
My first hike back from injury. I went to Moses Cone Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located beside Blowing Rock this park is open all winter and has very easy trails. The trails are former carriage roads built by Moses Cone in the early 20th century. I hiked here over a year ago to Flat Top Mountain, which has beautiful views from the fire tower. This time I went to Trout Lake and Rich Mountain. The views aren't as grand but it was still a pleasant hike. A little long for my first hike back, but I still enjoyed getting outside in the mountains.
Hike distance 9.0 miles with 853 feet elevation gain in 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Hike location
Hike report
Firetower Yellow Mountain NC
Firetower Yellow Mountain NC
Appalachian Trail 2017 Day5 Hotsprings Fire Tower
Hiking the Appalachian Trail with Ani our Drahthaar and 2 boys and Crystal. Some nice views and high points.
We were brave enough to get to the top of the fire tower above Hot springs NC on the North side of the city.
Boys made camp with a poncho.
Appalachian Trail Rich Mountain fire tower
The Summit of Wildcat Mountain……
Where to start….
From the beginning at Springer Mountain I
Felt excited to get started on my journey from the bus depot.
My pack was heavy and the mountains felt high and with 10 days of food and plenty of water around,( we followed Stover creek for some time) I forged north.
The first night I slept next to Stover Creek Shelter and setting up camp came right to me
for I had done this so many times before.
Day two left me looking for water in the afternoon at Hawk Mountain Shelter
I hade a hard time finding the water and when I returned to my gear at the shelter
Weather was coming in and it didn’t look good. It got really dark and the temperature started to drop when you could hear the thunder roll in and getting louder. As I hustled to set up my tent the rain came and I grabbed my pack closing the flap behind me.
It poured so hard, lightening crashing all-around me, hail stones just smaller than ping-pong balls and the land flooded around my tent. My floor felt like a waterbed mattress.
The rain slowed for a moment, I ran out and saw a higher piece of ground, dragged my tent to it and dove right back in.
This storm raged on for 14 hours, the next day the moisture caused due drops to fall from the leaves most of the day, warm I just wore my t-shirt and forged on. It took my gear two days to dry out; thankfully my laptop was double bagged as I write my tale.
Three days and I was exhausted, I could hardly think past hiking, I was in survivor mode
and was operating in Lizard Brain, the bare minimum of a humanoid. I couldn’t really hold a conversation very well or really wanted too, I was so tired.
I knew this would happen and I went slowly not to get injured, a blowout knee or a twisted ankle could end my journey before it really begins.
Today I am at Hiawassee Georgia, its evening; I purchased all the food I need to make it to my next resupply in Franklin North Carolina. I ate a huge meal and am doctoring my minor wounds, preparing for the next leg of my journey.
Franklin North Carolina is a famous spot for prospecting Ruby’s, Emeralds and Safire.
My plan is to mine for two days and ship my gems back home to await my return.
This adventure has just begun and I can’t imagine what the future holds….
I have trimmed my pack weight from 85 to 65 pounds and its still heavy, and the people who carry 35 pounds……they say their packs are heavy too…..it’s all in your mind….
It’s heavy if you choose it to be so…..
I carry my pack, it is part of me now…..it is all I have…it is all I am…..
An observer of nature, living and flowing with her….
I am wild….I am free… I am…. I said….
Meow!
Climbing the Mount Sterling fire tower in the Great Smoky Mountains
From Wikipedia: Mount Sterling is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains of Haywood County, North Carolina, located in the southeastern United States. It reaches an elevation of 5,842 feet (1,781 m) above sea level.[1] The summit is topped by an abandoned fire tower that gives stunning views of other nearby peaks.[2]
Mount Sterling crowns Mount Sterling Ridge, a 7-mile (11 km) ridge that gradually descends northward from the flanks of Big Cataloochee Mountain (on the Balsam Mountain crest) to the Pigeon River Valley. The ridge divides the Cataloochee area to the east from the Big Creek Valley (which represents the fringe of the Cosby area) to the west. The community of Waterville, North Carolina is located in the Pigeon Valley at the ridge's northern extreme. Geologically, Mount Sterling consists mainly of Precambrian metamorphic sandstone of the Ocoee Supergroup, formed nearly a billion years ago from ancient ocean sediments.[3] The summit of Mount Sterling is surrounded by a stand of Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest.
Max Patch Mountain, October 24, 2015
Max Patch is a high grassy bald located on the Tennessee / North Carolina state line.
At 4629 feet, it provides a sweeping vista of the entire area, including the Black Mountains to the east, the Smoky Mountains to the south and the Tennessee Valley to the west.
Check:
for a good overview
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Music Credits: Shady Grove, The Lark in the Clear Air, Flop Eared Mule
Author (All): Shake that Little Foot
Source: freemusicarchive.org
License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported