Bartram Path Backpacking Information | The Mountaineering Life

The Bartram Path is a 116 mile (187 km) pathway by means of the Appalachian mountains of Georgia and North Carolina. It was voted by readers of Backpacker Journal to be the No.1 U.S. lengthy distance path for solitude. Positive sufficient, once I hiked the BT in 2011, I didn’t encounter a single different hiker. Nonetheless, the shortage of on-trail visitors left me puzzled. If the Bartram Path actually was chosen No.1 for solitude, however hardly anybody ever hikes it, then who voted for it? 

All logistical particulars have been up to date as of January, 2017. The thriller stays unresolved………..

Distance:  116 miles (187 km)

Common Time: 6 to 7 days

Begin:  Russell Bridge, GA

End:  Cheoah Bald, NC

Highest Level: Wayah Bald 5,385 ft (1,641 m)

Lowest Level: Chattooga River 1,500 ft (460 m)

Bartram Path Overview Map (caltopo.com)

Getting There & Away:

• Russell Bridge (GPS Coordinates – 34.919484, -83.168664): There’s a small automobile park on the GA aspect of the bridge. The trailhead may be discovered reverse the parking space (i.e. south aspect of the highway).

• Cheoah Bald (GPS Coordinates – 35.32560°N / 83.6807°W) is located on the Appalachian Path. Closest highway entry is Stecoah Hole (NC), from the place it’s a 5.5 mile uphill hike to the pathway’s northern terminus.

Chattooga River

Maps / Info:

• Origins: The path is called after William Bartram, 18th century botanist, author and all-around outdoorsy sort. Between 1773 and 1777 Bartram travelled extensively by means of America’s southeast, manifesting his observations within the type of intensive notes and drawings concerning the area’s flora, fauna and native inhabitants.

• A Path in Two Elements: The Bartram Path consists of two sections – Georgia (38 miles) and North Carolina (78 miles). Every state has its personal separate web site, maps, guidebook, and even path markers. Certainly, as of 2016, there doesn’t appear to be a single path map that covers the complete pathway. Unusual.

• Information Books: There are two; one for GA and one for NC. As of January, 2017, they arrive within the type of 8.5×11 spiral sure booklets. Each embrace detailed mileage factors, trekking notes and maps. Greater than enough for navigation functions on this straightforward to observe footpath. You should buy each guides at both of the next web sites: Georgia Bartram Path Group or North Carolina Bartram Path Society.

• Caltopo Maps: Free downloadable USGS 7.5 topographic maps for the Bartram Path.

• NC Bartram Path Topo Map: If you happen to’re searching for one thing somewhat additional, the NC Bartram Path Society produce a 1:35,000 interpretive mountaineering map for the 78 mile NC part of the path. It contains elevation profiles, locations of curiosity, aspect trails, wildlife data and historic factoids.   

• On-line: The wonderful Bartram Path web page at Trailquest.web has logistical particulars, mileage factors & detailed trekking notes for the complete path. Good place to start out your BT planning course of.

Resupply:

• Resupply and lodging choices can be found in Franklin, NC, located roughly 70 miles from the southern terminus.

• Snacks will also be bought on the Phillips 66 Gasoline Station (S.R.1310) close to Nantahala Lake, NC (93 miles from Russell Bridge).

Nantahala Lake

Route / Circumstances:

• Character: The Bartram Path winds its means by means of the southern Appalachians of Georgia and North Carolina. Rhododendron forests, sleepy hollows, spectacular waterfalls, scenic lookouts and plenty of solitude; there’s rather a lot to love about this path.

Rhododendron Forest

• Signage: As talked about above, the BT is effectively marked from begin to end. Georgia has yellow diamond blazes, whereas North Carolina boasts yellow rectangular blazes. Two states, two distinctly marked sections, one path. (Replace: Per Bret within the feedback part, as of 2020, the Georgia part of the BT now has yellow rectangular markers as effectively).

• Stone Markers: Along with the above-mentioned signage, the Georgia phase of the BT  is distinguished by some fantastic engraved stone markers. Certainly, they might be my all-time favorite path indicators. The basic Roman font mixed with the weathered look, solely provides to the historic really feel of a path that follows within the footsteps of a famed 18th-century Naturalist.

Notes & Musings:

• Wayah Bald: One of many highlights of my Bartram Path hike was the 360° panorama from Wayah Bald. I managed to time my arrival completely. As I watched the solar peek over the horizon, I loved a king-sized serving of granola with powdered milk. It by no means ceases to amaze me how even the best meals style nice whenever you’re within the outdoor.

• Ridgetop Views: A few of my favorite reminiscences from mountaineering the Bartram Path in November, have been the post-foliage views from the ridges. There was one morning particularly when the sky was ablaze with a kaleidoscope of crimson, orange, pale blue and darkish gray.

Dawn on the Bartram Path.

• On the lookout for one thing longer?: For these with the time and inclination, the Bartram Path constitutes a part of a 583 mile route I put collectively known as the Southeastern Serpentine Path. The SST combines 4 totally different hikes – the Foothills, Benton Mackaye, and Bartram Trails, along with the Smokies part of the AT, to kind a steady long-distance mountaineering route by means of a few of the much less frequented elements of the southern Appalachian mountains.

Benton Mackaye Path part of the Southeastern Serpentine Path.