August 6, 2024
Yellow Patch-AT Loop Trail + Pickens Nose
near Otto, NC
REVIEW:The Yellow Patch section of this trail could be very nice, but unfortunately has suffered from lack of maintenance with serious overgrowth and numerous blowdowns. The trail is blazed, but the blazing is absent at several key points where one could miss a turn. It is passable with care, however, and should be considered a moderately difficult adventure hike.
NOTES: Another "great hike" to beat the summer heat with partly cloudy skies and temperatures between 68°F & 75°F throughout the day. The first part of our hike to Pickens Nose was fairly easy even with a steep initial climb. This hike is full of great overlooks with one to the east and three to the west. . . . and if you order now, you will get to climb down a steep rock formation to view a cave beneath it. Thanks to Terre for pointing out this cave and Heather for leading our climb down. Our second hike on the Yellow Patch Trail was one none of us had completed before. The AT sections of the hike were as expected with a wide range of conditions, some good and some quite rocky and rooty. However, the Yellow Patch portions of this loop were more challenging than expected for the reasons noted in my review above. Wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts is advisable to protect from the extensive blackberry growth and thorns. Plenty of berries, however. One section of the Yellow Patch Trail had lots of bear scat, but no bears were seen. Having a GPS is also a must, but even then we got off trail at an inconspicuous split in the old logging road we were were following. A little bushwhacking by some and backtracking by others got us back on track. Just a few wildflowers, most notably a beautiful patch of red Bee Balm on the AT. It was still worth the effort to check out this trail. TODAY'S HIKERS: Heather Wall, Rex Wade, Edwin Pruitt, Terre Pratt, Don Pratt, Ken Kellerman & Cutie Pie, Mike Bell, Jenny Bell & Matt with Toby.
The route
7.7 mi · 1,214 ft climbing · 5h 23m out, 4h 24m walking · 1.8 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
Part 1 of 2 · 1.8 mi
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
Part 2 of 2 · 5.9 mi
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
37 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (37)
Yellow Patch Trail. . . are we on it? High & dense blackberry overgrowth and numerous blowdowns are the rule! Today's Hikers on Pickens Nose(L-R): Heather, Rex, Edwin, Terre, Don, Ken with Cutie Pie, Mike, Jenny & Matt with Toby "Saddle up." It's a well used, rocky, steep initial climb for the first section of the trail to Pickens Nose. If it weren't for Terre Pratt, I would have walked by this only and beautiful view to the east along the ridge to Pickens Nose. Here's the first beautiful view to the west on the way to Picken's Nose. A beautiful view to the west at the second overlook off the Pickens Nose Trail. Photo by Heather Wall. Everyone enjoying the relatively cool morning on this first westerly overlook. Oh my! Pickens Nose . . . just spectacular. What a great place for a photo, but where are Matt & Toby? A view to the southwest from the third westerly overlook. A cave/large rock overhang ~80 feet below the trail. A curious fracture and gap in the large rock formation above the cave. Heather making her way back up to the trail. Gotta be careful visiting this site. The endangered Starry campion (L) and Filmy angelica (R) seen along the Pickens Nose Trail. Got to hike up a section of the AT to reach the start of the Yellow Patch Trail A large patch of Red Bee Balm as we start our way up the AT. A quick glimpse to the east from the AT. Nice maintenance on the AT. But Jenny, be careful climbing over those large rocks in the trail . . . ouch! That hurt.! Another nice overlook off the AT as we near our transition to the Yellow Patch Trail. A nice campsite nearby. Come on Ken, we've got to get moving. Mike, are you sure this is the Yellow Patch Trail? What trail? Another blowdown. Not enough of these blazes, particularly at the old logging roads split. Witch Hazel Cone Gall Aphid. Really curious. Almost off the more difficult segment of the Yellow Patch Trail You've got to be kidding us. Someone is having fun in the middle of nowhere. Some, but not a lot of fungus today. Lots of bear scat on this section of Yellow Patch Trail. Keep a good watch for one. Off the Yellow Patch Trail. Even Cutie Pie needs a break. Toby decides he's going to take a break in his favorite place . . . a mud puddle. Just a short section of Betty Creek Gap Trail on our way back. Nice to be back on an established trail. Headed up the AT again, the final leg of our loop. Hoary skullcap (L) & Doll's Eyes (R), the fruit of White baneberry. The end . . . whew.