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Big Bald via Spivey Gap - Pisgah National Forest, NC

3,549 views · Published 23 December 2018 · 23:34 · Indexed 11 October 2026

Channel: Zachary Robbins · 2018 · Travel & Events

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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
https://goo.gl/maps/BmTeyPEkpEC2

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