High Rock–Wolf Laurel Nature Sunset Point, 6 saddles

15.5 mi · ▲ 3,800 ft · 7 hr 4 min

High Rock–Wolf Laurel Nature Sunset Point, 6 saddles is a 15.5-mile out-and-back near Bald Mountain, NC. The route passes Wolf Laurel Nature Sunset Point, Street Gap, Sams Gap and High Rock before reaching Appalachian Viewpoint at the turnaround, 7.8 miles in. It climbs 3,800 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade. It scores 34/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi3,721 – 5,269 ft · steepest grade: 20%15.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Big Bald Bypass Trail 35.98792, -82.48889
Nearest town Bald Mountain, NC

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

High Rock–Wolf Laurel Nature Sunset Point, 6 saddles

15.5 mi · ▲ 3,800 ft · 7 hr 4 min

Elevation 3,722–5,268 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Big Bald Bypass Trail · 35.98792, -82.48889

Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 76°F / low 62° · precip 9% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:55 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Big Bald Bypass Trail, heading W.
  2. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Trail, heading SW.
  3. 1.9 miPass Wolf Laurel Nature Sunset Point.
  4. 1.5 miPass Street Gap.
  5. 2.4 miPass Sams Gap.
  6. 1.6 miPass Appalachian Viewpoint.
  7. 200 ftTurn right, heading N.
  8. 150 ftReach High Rock, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 7.5 miContinue straight onto Big Bald Bypass Trail, heading E.
  10. 0.2 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

35% dirt2% paved63% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 76°F62°
Precip9%Wind4 mphUV7Humidity69%
Rained 0.2″ yesterday
Hourly temperature
80°60°
Sunrise 7:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:55 PM
Sat 76°64° 25%
Sun 75°60° 35%
Mon 69°52°
Tue 74°49°
Wed 73°52°
Thu 75°56° 19%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~5 min). Leave by 7:31 PM for the 7:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:16 PM — 5 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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