Plott Balsam–Mount Lyn Lowry, 3 summits

3.7 mi · ▲ 991 ft · 1 hr 44 min

Plott Balsam–Mount Lyn Lowry, 3 summits is a 3.7-mile out-and-back near Clark, NC. The route passes Mount Lyn Lowry and Lyn Lowry Viewpoint before reaching Plott Balsam at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It climbs 991 ft, with sections as steep as 42% grade. It scores 65/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi5,689 – 6,234 ft · steepest grade: 42%3.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 35.46327, -83.11053
Nearest town Clark, NC

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Plott Balsam–Mount Lyn Lowry, 3 summits

3.7 mi · ▲ 991 ft · 1 hr 44 min

Elevation 5,688–6,234 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 35.46327, -83.11053

Weather Sep 5: Fog, high 73°F / low 57° · precip 19% · wind 2 mph · sunrise 7:08 AM · sunset 7:57 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 250 ftBear right onto Lyn Lowry Trail, heading NE.
  3. 50 ftPass Mount Lyn Lowry.
  4. 200 ftBear left onto Plott Balsam Trail, heading NE.
  5. 50 ftPass Lyn Lowry Viewpoint.
  6. 0.6 miBear right, heading E.
  7. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  8. 1.2 miReach Plott Balsam, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 1.2 miBear right, heading W.
  10. 0.6 miBear right, heading SW.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto Lyn Lowry Trail, heading S.
  12. 150 ftBear left, heading S.
  13. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

34% dirt66% unspecified

Weather

FogTemperature 73°F57°
Precip19%Wind2 mphUV7Humidity75%
Rained 0.1″ 7 days ago
Hourly temperatureRain chance
75°55° 12 PM: 1% rain1 PM: 1% rain2 PM: 5% rain3 PM: 8% rain4 PM: 9% rain5 PM: 8% rain6 PM: 19% rain7 PM: 3% rain8 PM: 2% rain
Sunrise 7:08 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:57 PM
Sat 73°60° 22%
Sun 69°54° 46%
Mon 64°52° 33%
Tue 69°48°
Wed 71°48°
Thu 75°51° 16%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~25 min). Leave by 7:12 PM for the 7:57 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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