Where do you hike in August? Hemphill Bald. We will start at Hemphill Bald Trailhead off Heintooga Road, taking the Hemphill Bald Trail to the junction with Caldwell Fork Trail. We will stop and visit the big poplar before making the climb up to Rough Fork. We will take Rough Fork to the parking lot. Car camping is an option at Balsam Mountain Campground or Mile High Campground both nearby with great sunset views. This is a great place to camp in the summer. This hike is almost 14 miles long and is rated difficult due to the distance and the ascent out. Drive time is 2 hours via I-40, distance 105 miles. The hike starting time at the Hemphill Bald Trailhead is 8:30 am. I am camping at Mile High. The campground is almost booked for that weekend. Balsam Mountain still has several openings. If you would like a copy of the map for the hike visit here. If you would like to view the profile of the hike visit here. Pre-registration with the leader is required.

Leader: Dale Potter
dalepotter55@gmail.com
865-773-8114