Lower North Carolina - Georgia Border to Nantahala River

We were very relieved and excited to get into the NC portions of the trail. Georgia was OK but in June the heat was relentless and we were seldom treated to a nice view after a long climb. North Carolina offers higher elevations and wide open balds which meant cooler temperatures and amazing views.

This was the first nice view we came to - on Sanding Indian mountain

The Rhododendrons re in full bloom on Standing Indian
After a tough climb up Albert mountain we were rewarded with great views from the fire tower.
A tunnel through a rhododendron thicket

Flame Azaleas in bloom

Wasilik Poplar - once the second largest poplar in the US (until it died a few years back) stands like a giant skeleton near rock gap.

We met an incredibly generous ex-hiker/trail angel in Franklin NC that drove us around gave us some good advice. We ate lunch at a local Cuban restaurant and had a couple delicious cold beers before hitting the trail later that afternoon.

Some wild strawberries - small but delicious
Some pictures from Siler Bald


Wayah Bald Fire tower.

I'm not sure what variety of Azaleas these are but they lined both sides of the trail near Wayah bald and smelled amazing.

It's a big ole moth - I think its a Luna Moth.

Giant ferns as tall as Jess lined the trail.