Backpacking The NC Bartram Trail Week 1

The Bartram trail is a lesser traveled trail extending 116 miles from the Georgia/ South Carolina Border into NC, ending just short of Stecoah Gap. The North Carolina portion is approximately 62 miles long. (Additional mileage from the access trail) Please join me for 3 weekends of backpacking to complete this beautiful and challenging section of trail. THIS TRAIL IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS!!!

Each day will average 10 miles. These are Backpacking Events. You must own or borrow all the equipment that you need. You will have to carry everything you need. This is a challenging trail. To be successful you should be hiking regularly and recently 8 or more miles per day over AT level trails. Recent backpacking experience preferable. We will carpool from trailhead to trailhead. You must have had your covid vaccine to participate in the carpools.

Planned schedule:
Week 1: Memorial Day Weekend NOC to Nantahala Lake 30 miles

Week 2: June 5,6 Nantahala Lake to Wallace Branch 18 miles

Week 3: June 26,27 Hockory Knob to the Georgia Border 20.4 miles

Day 1: Meet at Lakes End Cafe and Grill. The parking is across the street from the restaurant. We will leave as few cars as possible here and drive to the Nantahala Outdoor Center where we will start our hike. This is a 30 minute drive.

From the NOC we will hike North on the AT through Cheoah Bald and on to the Bartram Trail. We will spend the first night at Ledbetter Creek approximately half a mile down the trail. Total mileage for the day 9.1 miles 3300 feet of gain.

Day 2: Hike from Ledbetter Creek to Piercy Creek where we will spend our second night. 10.6 miles primarily descending then ascending approximately 1600 feet.

Day 3: Hike from Piercy Creek to Lakes End Cafe and Grill. 11.4 miles. There are a few climbs up to 700 feet each but today is fairly level. From the Cafe we will drive back to the NOC for our cars and then home.

We will possibly eat at either the Lakes End Cafe or the NOC depending on group vote.

Carpooling is encouraged.