Big Bald via Spivey Gap - Pisgah National Forest, NC
On November 3 I revisited Big Bald, this time beginning at Spivey Gap on U.S. 19W. This is the harder of the two long-distance routes to reach the summit, and combined with the more obscure access means it receives much less trail traffic. The Appalachian Trail crosses the highway just before the NC/TN border and immediately climbs moderately to High Rocks. This summit is a massive series of boulders looming 20 feet over the AT. I tried scaling the rocks to no avail, only to discover there is a signed side trail on the lower south side of the peak. From here you have decent views through the trees of Little Bald and surrounding peaks. The day before the area received 1-2" of snow, and it lingered at elevations above 5,000 feet. I was excited to keep climbing before the remaining snow melted off.
The next section was another long, moderate climb to Little Bald from Whistling Gap. As I approached 5,000 feet the ice coverage got heavier and more beautiful. Little Bald is the second tallest peak in the Bald Mountains at 5,220 feet, and the high point is almost right on the trail. There is no view or bald area despite the name and narrow, craggy appearance from afar. Next the AT drops slightly into a long, wide saddle that resembled a mile-high plateau. For nearly a mile the terrain is flat offering countless campsites. It was a great walk through the forest. Towards the end of this plateau the Bald Mountain Shelter can be reached by a short side trail.
From the shelter it is little over a mile to Big Bald, with most of the climbing already behind you. First the AT crosses a bird nesting sanctuary, then crosses a fantastic, huge grassy bald with Big Bald looming above. I thought this subpeak was Big Stamp, but some maps show the northern peak labeled as such. Either way, it is one of those classic Southern Appalachian grassy bald walks that the Appalachian Trail is famous for. Big Bald, at 5,516 feet, is the highest peak in the Bald Mountains and one of the finest bald summits in North Carolina. The craggy peaks of the Shelton Laurel Backcountry Area above Erwin and I-26 are due west. In the distant southwest are the Newfound and Great Smoky Mountains behind Max Patch and the southern Bald Mountains. The Great Balsam and Plott Balsam Mountains are in the distant south, but with the glare it was difficult to capture. By far the most impressive view is south-southeast of the Black and Great Craggy Mountains. Almost identical to the view from Beauty Spot two weeks prior, but with no sight line interference. The Unaka Mountains begin due north across the Nolichucky Gorge, with the broad Unaka Mountain north-northeast. The Roan Highlands are in the northeast, blocking any open views of Grandfather Mountain. You can sort of spot the peaks of Linville Gorge to the east, but these mountains are minuscule in comparison to their surroundings. Already behind on time after spending nearly an hour at the summit freezing my hands off, I half-ran all of the way back to the car. Spivey Gap is indeed the tougher trailhead, with much more difficult climbing than the Sams Gap trailhead. Either way, Big Bald is one of the best bald summits in the state.
Hike was 14.2 miles with 4,314 feet elevation gain in 7 hours.
Hike location
goo.gl/maps/BmTeyPEkpEC2
Пікірлер: 44
Hey Zack, enjoy your vids but just have to let you know it's pronounced "Spy-vee" Gap and "Unay-ka Mt". Spivey Gap is easier to get to by taking I 26 into Tn. Take the Temple Hill exit, go south for approximately a half mile and then turn South on 19 W. It's approximately 5-6 miles to the AT. I've spent a lot of time on that mountain and full moons are awesome.
@bigzach322
3 жыл бұрын
I prefer mixing it up and taking highways I don't drive as often, I've driven on I-26 a lot but have not driven U.S. 19W much.
Great video....and an incredible knowledge of the mountain ranges here in NC
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Bern
Wow! Great views, and video. As always, thank you for sharing your hikes.
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Zachary, I am currently watching your video about the Bald Mountain in NC. I grew up going to picnics all summer long as a kid. I want to tell you that the county you referred to is pronounced Yun (like young with a short u) a (long a) and coi (just like it sounds Coy. Unicoi County. One of the mountains you referred to was Spivey and the pronunciation of it is with a long I.......SPI (long i) vey. Not Spi (short i) vey. I'm a retired college instructor - I grew up in these mountains and I can't help myself re the correction. Sorry. Enjoyed the video. The wind was really rough on the Bald. Did it hurt your ears at all? You do a really good job of narrating. My husband and I are enjoying your hikes. If you ever have questions about spellings/pronunciations, don't hesitate to ask me. I grew up in Asheville and my grandparents were from over on Sam's Gap. Take care and Happy Hiking.
@bigzach322
2 жыл бұрын
No it doesn't hurt my ears, microphones really accentuate wind or rushing water.
Beautiful place
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Sure is
Thanks again for another fine video
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Robert
Great hike in a very beautiful area. I've done the Sam's gap side gonna have to try the spivey gap section. Cool video.
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jason. Spivey Gap is definitely tougher.
Great video Zach! I agree that Big Bald has one of the best views in the southeast and a lot less crowded than Max Patch.
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
It was my first time there without clouds, and definitely less crowded than other peaks. Without Wolf Laurel there it would be pretty remote.
Spivey pronounced SPI (long I)VEY
@bigzach322
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
Nice video. Planning to do Big Bald this spring. Hopefully I get the same clear skies at the summit that you did.
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Harder in the Spring with all the rain we get, winter is really the best time for all of these balds.
@neilson1105
5 жыл бұрын
@@bigzach322 You think early March will be too rainy?
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
It's hit or miss, but I guarantee the trails will be muddier than normal with more humid weather and hikers.
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
I have the luxury of living in NC and waiting to do these hikes when the weather is good. Most people don't. That's why you rarely see me to hikes with big views in bad conditions. Usually I'll check out some waterfalls and trees when it's cloudy. March-May have a lot of cold rain and low elevation clouds. If you are hiking more than 3 days you are almost 100% guaranteed to have one crappy day.
@neilson1105
5 жыл бұрын
@@bigzach322 yeah I'll be moving to North Eastern Tennessee in January for work so it should be pretty easy to shoot over and do some of these hikes. Your channel has been a great guide to help me put some trails on my to-do list!
6:52 Winter for me, too. Big Bald looks amazing. I started making tentative plans with a friend yesterday to knock out a 3 day hike on the AT next year to include Big Bald. 16:25 the view I was waiting for. Beautiful. Excited to get back on the Crest Trail in 2019.
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
If you can handle 59 miles I'd recommend Hot Springs to Spivey Gap for a bunch of new terrain for you. Starting at Allen Gap would shorten it to 44 miles. Otherwise I'd start at Sams Gap and go to Iron Mountain Gap for 45 miles or Carvers Gap for 61 miles.
very disappointed when we went up the whole blueridge was closed :(
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure what you mean, Big Bald is not near the Blue Ridge Parkway and is on two U.S. highways that wouldn't be closed for snow.
This is literally what I’m going for in my videos! Good work! You’ve got a new subscriber out of me and I would appreciate any advice you might have if you check out my channel!
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Kyle. I''ll check out the mountain videos sometime soon.
Always love your videos bud. Also , keep hating on the populist 😂😂 always find it funny seeing your face reactions. Wife and I are making our bucket list on what we want to hike soon.
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
I'll have to re-listen to know what you're referring to, but I'm sure I was making fun of people at some point.
@eliasarianas3012
5 жыл бұрын
Zachary Robbins I was referring to how much you hate being in crowded places when hiking 🥾. For example , whenever you show views from a peak or viewing spot and others are around the audio is almost always cut off. In one of your older videos videos you talked ab how on the other side of this mountain was the blue ridge parkway. Your comment was “idk if you can hear the cars from the blue ridge parkway but it’s on the other side of this section. Very thankful I can’t see anyone driving on it” 😂😂 I chuckle every time you talk ab not seeing anyone. After doing my time in the military I’ve become quite the disgruntled person myself 😂. My love for the mountains and hiking/camping really came to be after I realized how wonderful the great out doors can be. I’m super excited to start hiking the trails you have on your channel and experiencing those same views. Like yourself I’m on the east cost of NC and give you props for doing long days of hiking and driving. In January I’ll be dropping a good amount of money for camping/ hiking gear. Maybe one day I’ll run into you on the trail ? If I do will keep it short and simple 😂. Anyways , merry Christmas 🎄🎁 Zack and hope 2019 brings you great adventures
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Often times I don't listed to my segments back with audio on, I just put them right into the finished product. I forget things I said doing that. I usually check this stuff on the hike or at the brewery and delete the bad videos, so I only have one video per section of the trail to include. I do hate making these videos around people, it feels awkward and makes me feel like I'm some Instagram hiker recording selfies. When I'm not at all, I clearly hike way more miles than those people lol. For gear I recommend this site over almost any blog I've encountered. He's my go to for advice, he's even given me some free gear in the past and is very responsive in the comments. sectionhiker.com/
@eliasarianas3012
5 жыл бұрын
You’re videos are very in-depth and you’re the only person I found so far on YT who explains what the viewer will be seeing on the hike. You do a great job in your videos and anyone who were to cross paths with you on the trail would see that. As for the link I greatly appreciate it, I’ve been YT gear reviews on packs and gear. Just wondering , where did you learn ab what maps to buy ? Tho I’m looking at getting a GPS I’m use to maps and a compass (aka land navigation 🧭) so like yourself I’d like to carry both on me
@bigzach322
5 жыл бұрын
Most people seem to focus on getting different camera angles and gear and camp setup, which never interested me much. Some KZread gear reviewers are good but way too many of them veer into the extreme ultralight or tactical/survival mode. I think Section Hiker is the best on the internet, and way more honest. Most KZread reviewers have links to their Amazon page so if you buy the product they get a small piece. There are really only 3 map companies to buy from for NC area, everything else is free. You can find most of these at outdoor stores. National Geographic is normally the worst, if the other two have maps available for the same region buy those. You can also buy all of these maps on phone apps. I use Avenza Maps, you can find all these paper maps on there. shop.nationalgeographic.com/collections/trail-maps www.nationalforestmapstore.com/ www.pisgahmapcompany.com/
Learn the correct way to pronounce Spivey and Unicoi.
@bigzach322
3 жыл бұрын
Oh jesus lol