|
Forest Fire Lookout Association |
|
North Carolina |
|
Chapter |
|
Lookout Access
Mt. Mitchell Construction is still in progress on the new 10 ft. stone observation atop Mt. Mitchell. *The tower and the summit area of Mt. Mitchell are currently closed and off limits to hikers.* Vaughn & Melton, the tower’s contractor, estimate that the completion of the tower and its paved access trail twill be completed in August 2008. Summit access will be reopened at that time. Check back for updates. Mt. Mitchell & Green Knob - Driving Access A rockslide and roadway failure has closed the Parkway between Craggy Pinnacles and the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park. Access to Mount Mitchell and Green Knob is not possible from Asheville at this time. This closure is expected to continue until 2009. Entrance to the state park is still possible from the North Carolina Highway 80 entrance to the Parkway. For updated conditions, check: http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm Joanna Bald: A lookout access date to the cab and catwalk is currently being arranged for Fall 2008. Former tower watchman and FFLA member, Marshall McClung, will be volunteer staffing the tower to answer questions and share his stories from the lookout for hikers and visitors. Details and dates are forthcoming; check back soon for more information. Bearwallow Mountain: Access to the tower and cab is currently restricted by a chain link fence and negative signage. The NC chapter of the FFLA is currently negotiating with the NC Division of Forest Resources to schedule periodic access dates to this tower. However, the tower is situated on a bald mountaintop that offers most of the views available from the lookout. Therefore, the vistas from this bald are nearly as impressive as from atop the tower itself, certainly still warranting a hike to the top. Only views to the east, including Hickory Nut Gorge, Rumbling Bald, and Sugarloaf Mountain, are restricted without the advantage of the lookout. Duckett Top: The NC chapter of the FFLA continues ongoing negotiations with landowners to the southern approach via Duckett Top Tower Rd. to the summit of Rich Knob and the lookout. Check with Briar Rose Farm by email for the most up to date access information. Camp Creek Bald / Albert Mountain / Cowee Bald: Access dates for the catwalks and cabs of these towers are being negotiated with the U.S. Forest Service. Check back soon for updated information. Walker Top: Check back soon for updates. |
|
Home | FFLA | The Book | WNC Lookouts | Lookout Access | Restorations | Hiking Challenge | Tower Needs | Tower Inventory | Links | Contact |
|
Check back frequently for updated access information Updated May 4, 2008
|
