April 16, 2024
Chimney Rock Trail to Big Scaly Mountain
It was a "great day for a hike," but it was challenging with little trail maintenance. The first 3.2 miles of the hike was on a mostly overgrown, fairly steep and rocky old road bed with numerous, but passable blowdowns. After the unmarked turn on the final 0.8 mile ascent of Big Scaly, the trail shallows out, but toward the top more blowdowns and a number of very large rock outcroppings are encountered requiring careful footing. The latter half of the outbound leg of the hike is through a widespread burn area which is slowly recovering. However, the early growth includes large sections of thorny bushes the we had to hike through. The view from Big Scaly is quite impressive with Standing Indian Mtn. to the north. However, it was quite smokey today from controlled burns to the west. There were quite a few wildflowers in bloom, but Bluetts and Woodland Betony dominated much of the upper trail with numerous White Trillium and Mayapples towards the front end of the hike. With a ~2,300-foot climb and unmaintained trail, this is definitely a strenuous hike best accomplished in the winter or early spring when the overgrowth is at a minimum. One bonus to this hike is the beautiful drive to the trailhead along the very scenic Tallulah River. TODAY'S HIKERS: Matt Henderson, Jack Treadman, Jenny Bell, Ken Kellerman & Cutie Pie and Mike Bell
The route
8.0 mi · 2,247 ft climbing · 6h 28m out, 5h 1m walking · 1.6 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
27 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (30)
A view to the northwest from Big Scaly Mountain. Today's hardy hikers (L-R): Mike, Matt & Toby (somewhere?), Jack, Jenny & Ken with Cutie Pie We followed the beautiful Tallulah River on our way to the trailhead. Then we passed through the bustling Tate City. Gotta stop at the mall on the way out. Enough of the tourist stuff Mike. Let's get started. At the start, this trail doesn't look too difficult and it continues to follow the Tallulah River upstream. These White Trillium early in the hike were a pleasant surprise. Lots of other white wildflowers nearby: UL-Star Chickweed; UR-Daisy Fleabane; LR-Foam Flower; LL-Woodland White Violet How about that Carolina Silverbell? The blue blaze marks the turning point onto the Chimney Rock Trail. Up we go! The first of many blowdowns. We even saw a few clusters of Bellwort today. A few late Bloodroot, too. This fairly tall unnamed falls seen through the woods on Chimney Rock Creek. No apparent access from this trail. Cutie Pie is anxious to keep moving. Wood Betony and Bluettes were along most of the upper section of this trail. Still going up and Jenny has a few "words . . . *#!&" about the rocky path. The fire damage to the forest from the November 2016 fires is very evident along this trail. Looking northwest toward Yellow Mountain in the background. Serviceberry along the final segment of the trail to the peak of Big Scaly. Toby dug out a cool spot next to a rotted stump. Smart dog! The last section of the trail to Big Scaly starts with a fairly open path, then lots of blowdowns and later massive boulder climbs. More difficult as you ascend. A smokey view to the west. Photo by Matt Henderson. Ken, Toby and Cutie Pie checking out a spot for lunch. Photo by Matt Henderson. So let's have lunch. This is a far as we could go. Not quite to the peak of Big Scaly, but the burned out blowdown, steep drop, and lack of any visible trail, made it unsafe to go the additional 50 yards to the peak. The sky and smoke cleared a bit so we got a good view of Standing Indian Mountain I kind of Lichen this trail. Golden Alexander, a wildflower I didn't recognize until our return back to the trailhead. A last look at the upper end of the Tallulah River. "Hiking couple of the day" Atta girl Jenny. You made it.