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Backpacking Fires Creek Rim - Nantahala National Forest, NC

4,269 views · Published 15 February 2017 · 21:25 · Indexed 11 October 2026

Channel: Zachary Robbins · 2017 · Travel & Events

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A difficult 2-day backpacking trip on the Fires Creek Rim Trail in Nantahala National Forest. The Fires Creek Recreation Area is located in the extreme southwest region of North Carolina and managed by the Tusquitee Ranger District of the national forest. The Rim Trail is ~25.5 miles and makes a horseshoe loop around the Fires Creek Gorge following the crest of the Valley River Mountains (north) and the Tusquitee Mountains (south). These two mountain ranges meet at the eastern end of this "box canyon" around a collection of ~5,000-foot heath balds. There is no easy way to access this part of the rim, it is isolated and requires a difficult hike from any direction.

I went clockwise from the picnic area beside Leatherwood Falls, ascending steeply to the first big peak on the Valley River Rim, Big Peachtree Bald. On this stretch forest fires created great views southwest of Georgia, including Brasstown Bald, and east of Tusquitee Bald at the head of the gorge. From there it is up-and-down for many miles with winter views along the rim. I camped at County Corner Junction after 14.5 miles. The next day started with the eastern rim with occasional views, culminating at Tusquitee Bald at 5,240 feet. Snowstorms had blown in during the morning, and obscured views for me. The snow got steadily heavier over the next hour, dropping 2-3 inches on the Tusquitee Rim. After crossing Potrock and Matlock Balds I decided to bail from the rim on the first trail I crossed. It was windy, wet, cold, and my gimpy left leg was painful from constant slipping + my pack weight. I took the little-used Bald Springs Branch Trail, which was hard to follow in the snow, then had to hike 6+ miles on FR 340. 

Hike was 27.9 miles over 2 days of backpacking, approximately 16 hours of hiking.

Hike location
https://goo.gl/maps/JhQHF1kyNbBURNMR6

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