Waterrock Knob–Browning Knob, 9 summits

6.3 mi · ▲ 2,020 ft · 3 hr 7 min

Waterrock Knob–Browning Knob, 9 summits is a 6.3-mile out-and-back near Clark, NC. The route passes Lyn Lowry Viewpoint, Mount Lyn Lowry, Browning Knob and 2 more before reaching Waterrock Knob Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3.1 miles in. It climbs 2,020 ft, with sections as steep as 40% grade. It scores 39/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi5,414 – 6,286 ft · steepest grade: 40%6.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 35.46149, -83.10065
Nearest town Clark, NC

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Waterrock Knob–Browning Knob, 9 summits

6.3 mi · ▲ 2,020 ft · 3 hr 7 min

Elevation 5,413–6,286 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 35.46149, -83.10065

Weather Sep 5: Fog, high 76°F / low 60° · precip 19% · wind 2 mph · sunrise 7:08 AM · sunset 7:57 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 0.8 miTurn left, heading W.
  3. 50 ftBear left onto Plott Balsam Trail, heading SW.
  4. 0.6 miPass Lyn Lowry Viewpoint.
  5. 100 ftBear right, heading SW.
  6. 100 ftContinue straight onto Lyn Lowry Trail, heading W.
  7. 50 ftPass Mount Lyn Lowry.
  8. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Private property, heading W.
  9. 50 ftTurn right onto Bypass, heading W.
  10. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Lyn Lowry Trail, heading W.
  11. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
  12. 0.7 miPass Browning Knob.
  13. 50 ftPass Browning Knob Viewpoint.
  14. 100 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  15. 50 ftSharp right onto Browning Knob Trail, heading SW.
  16. 0.3 miPass Waterrock Knob Viewpoint.
  17. 150 ftTurn left onto Waterrock Knob Trail, heading W.
  18. 50 ftReach Waterrock Knob, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 50 ftTurn right onto Browning Knob Trail, heading W.
  20. 0.3 miSharp left, heading E.
  21. 50 ftTurn right onto Lyn Lowry Trail, heading E.
  22. 0.8 miBear left, heading NE.
  23. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Bypass, heading SE.
  24. 0.2 miTurn left onto Private property, heading NE.
  25. 50 ftContinue straight onto Lyn Lowry Trail, heading NE.
  26. 0.2 miBear left onto Plott Balsam Trail, heading E.
  27. 0.6 miBear right, heading NE.
  28. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  29. 0.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

52% dirt48% unspecified

Weather

FogTemperature 76°F60°
Precip19%Wind2 mphUV7Humidity75%
Rained 0.1″ 7 days ago
Hourly temperatureRain chance
80°60° 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 75°62° 22%
Sun 71°57° 46%
Mon 66°55° 33%
Tue 71°50°
Wed 74°51°
Thu 77°53° 16%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~59 min). Leave by 6:38 PM for the 7:57 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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