Panthertown Valley, NC Backpack Trip

Join for Spring views in the breath-taking wilderness area in Nantahala National Forest that has it all: scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and plenty of well-paved and footpath hiking trails at Panthertown Valley near Highlands/Cashiers, NC. We'll start with a quick exploration of downtown Highlands, NC, before heading out to the Saltrock Gap Trailhead above Cashiers for 2 days of backwoods trekking and 2 nights of backpack camping. These routes are considered moderately challenging, and due to potential severe weather: rain and/or cold, and some footpath/faint path trails requiring some orienteering, this is considered an advanced trip for experienced backpackers/hikers. This area is known for bears and I will be bringing my food in a bear vault as well as having us camp in one of the areas in which I have not encountered bears (camped here twice without bear or raccoon food incident as I have had at several other campsites--in previous sites the food bags were not hung high enough or trees were not great for hanging). My hiking style is slow and steady with breaks for snacks, lunch, and to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Friday

• 9:30 am - meet at BlackBear Breakfast & Lunch, 137 Main St, Highlands, NC, for coffee/breakfast. Feel free to explore the local Bear Mountain Outfitter, and to pick up lunch to take for later.
• 10:30 am - Drive to [Saltrock Gap Trailhead](Breedlove Rd, Glenville, NC 28736), Breedlove Rd, Glenville, NC for 37 minute/18.2 miles.
• 11:30 am - hit the trail to Saltrock Gap overlook and follow the Panthertown Valley Trail about 4 miles where we'll set up camp near Riding Ford Falls along the Devil's Elbow Trail.
• Late lunch hike to the beautiful and remote High Bethel Overlook (see photo of host attached). We will follow a faint path along Little Green Creek up to an old logging road to a very special and stunning overlook which we'll have all to ourselves. This trail is approximately 3.5 miles round trip (out and back). Of the 6 or so times I've hiked here (the first time orienteering) I've yet to encounter other hikers. There are lots of rhododendron at the top should they bloom early.
• Back at camp, there are a few waterfalls to explore near camp: Elbow Falls and Jawbone Falls.
• Dinner around campfire or at a waterfall.

Saturday

• Breakfast at camp
• 8-10 miles loop to see waterfalls and scenic overlooks along (mostly) regular forest service trails to include: Schoolhouse Falls, Tranquility Point (amazing views: lunch stop), Pothole Falls, Mac's Falls, Big Green Mountain overlook, Great Wall Trail, Frolictown Falls, Wilderness Falls, and Granny Burrell Falls.
• AllTrails Map Link (this is similar to what we'll do, though I will customize a bit to hit sites noted above): Panthertown Backcountry Loop.

Sunday

• Quick breakfast at camp
• Pack-up and leave Panthertown via Riding Ford Trail to overlooks at Blackrock Mountain and back to Saltrock Gap Trailhead (4-5 miles).
• Drive 6.4 mile/16 minutes back to Highlands for dinner at Highlands Smoke House, 595 Franklin Rd, Highlands, Sunday: open till 7.