Cheoah Bald on the Bartram Trail

Sunday kicked off our mountain week with Amaroq in classic style: an early start and a scenic drive through the Nantahala Gorge to the Bartram Trail trailhead in the Cheoah Backcountry Area. We geared up, crossed the railroad tracks, and headed left onto Section 12, the final stretch of Bartram Trail leading to Cheoah Bald. A shiny new bridge over Ledbetter Creek greeted us right away (a welcome upgrade since my last visit).  From there, the trail turned relentlessly steep, and we felt every step in the July heat and humidity. The nearly perpetual clouds of gnats didn’t help either. After the initial big climb, the path eased as we dropped toward the first creek crossing.

I let Amaroq cool his paws and grab a drink in the refreshing water. A couple more easy rock-hops followed, and around 2.5 miles in we reached Bartram Falls.

The lighting wasn’t ideal (same on the way down), but I still love the dramatic upper section where the water tumbles into a tight V-shaped canyon just above the main drop.

Three more creek crossings later, the trail left the drainage, crossed an old road, and ramped up steeply again.

The final push was overgrown in spots, but we pushed through.

Just over 4 miles from the start, we joined the Appalachian Trail and turned right (southbound) for the short quarter-mile jaunt to the summit of Cheoah Bald.

The views were fantastic, sweeping down into the Nantahala Gorge we’d just climbed out of.

We enjoyed a quick snack, but the persistent flies and gnats kept our break short.

The return was mostly downhill and much easier on the legs.

Back at the bottom, we made a quick detour to Findley Falls as the sun finally broke through.  

It's a peaceful spot to relax before jumping back in the car. 

From there, we headed west to Andrews and the newly opened Cover Falls Preserve.

The easy half-mile trail led to a beautiful 40-foot Cover Falls.

I scrambled around the rocks for photos while another couple captured their own shots and videos.

We headed out just as rain started to fall.

Dinner was excellent pizza at Happy Trout Brewing in town, followed by check-in at 129 Cabins and a well-earned deep sleep.