Pickens Nose

Friday was New Years Eve and we wanted to get in some nice hikes to finish out the year.  We headed west on US-64 and made a quick stop at the overlook near Winding Stairs Gap.

Then we drove to the Standing Indian area of Nantahala National Forest on Upper Nantahala Road/FR-67.  We continued to Ball Creek Road/FR-83 and parked at the trailhead for Pickens Nose Trail (#13).  In less than half a mile, we reached a side path that led out to great views to the north and east.  Clouds were still lingering over Franklin.

The trail ended at an overlook looking south towards Georgia.

Southern Nantahala Wilderness was just beyond here.

Pickens Nose itself was just a little further back - the distinctive nose jutting out.

We stopped for some pictures here before a light rain rolled in.

So we made our way back as more folks were showing up.

From here we drove back to FR-67 and followed that to the end at the trailhead for Albert Mountain.  The lookout tower was visible from the road on the drive in.  After parking at the end, we hiked the Albert Mountain Trail (#36A) up to Appalachian Trail and followed that up to the summit.

The top of the tower is locked but there were nice views from the summit looking down over Coweeta Lab.

I walked a little further on the AT and got a few more nice views.

Then we headed back to the car and headed down FR-67.

We made a stop at the trailhead for Mooney Falls.  The short trail led to a split and we first went left to the upper section.

Then we went back to the split and went down to the lower section.

It's not too big but rather pretty and easy to visit.

Then we drove just a short way further down the road to the trailhead for Big Laurel Falls Trail (#29).  The trail crossed Mooney Branch on a footbridge and then followed Nantahala River upstream into Southern Nantahala Wilderness.  There were some cool trees along the trail.

The trail ended at Big Laurel Falls.

There were several other people here, so we didn't' stay long.  We went out to Nantahala River near the headwaters and ate lunch at a scenic spot.

Then we hiked back to the car and started driving out of the area.

Back to US-64, we went left and then right on Rainbow Springs Road/FR-437.  After about 5 miles, we passed Factory Branch Falls.

It's a fairly high waterfall right along the road, but its covered in downfall and right next to a house.

I got a couple pictures out the window, then we turned around and headed back to Franklin. We went to Currahee Brewing for New Years Eve dinner and drinks, then headed back to Gooder Grove.  We considered walking downtown for the Ruby Drop, but it was raining off and on and we didn't make it to midnight.