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Cowee Bald Lookout Tower - Nantahala National Forest, NC

1,594 views · Published 21 June 2017 · 6:24 · Indexed 11 October 2026

Channel: Zachary Robbins · 2017 · Travel & Events

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My sixth and final lookout tower hike of Memorial Day weekend. This is a similar experience to Joanna Bald, a very long drive in the middle-of-nowhere for a short walk and not great views. Cowee Bald is the 3rd tallest peak in the Cowee Mountains at 4,944 feet and the tallest in the remote Cowee-Alarka complex. The walk from gated FR 70 was 0.5-miles to the summit which is crowed with many communications towers. The lookout tower was at the far end of the summit in its own little field. Originally built in 1933, the 30-foot tower was in very good condition. The top cab was locked per usual, but the views from the stairs were good. To the south the town of Franklin is surrounded by the Cowee and Nantahala Mountains. Due north the Plott Balsam Mountains dominate the scenery. If the top cab is open this would be a worthwhile destination, you could have a better view of the Great Smokies and Great Balsams from the catwalk. FR 70 is much, much better than FR 86 for driving, which is very eroded in spots and includes two creek fords.

Hike location
https://goo.gl/maps/9kcL3AAajQWamzBMA

Hike report
https://www.hikingupward.com/NNF/CoweeBaldLookoutTower/

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