Wayah Bald Shelter

After an 11 mike hike on the AT from Winding Stair Gap trailhead, we arrived at Wayah Bald Shelter and camping. Moderate, short downhill to water source and privy is close to shelter. There are plenty of flat camping sites near the shelter.

So this is a very nice shelter that is along the AT but is actually a little bit of a ways along the trail after you pass the wayah bald tower. There is also a nice campground right near the tower at the split of the Bartram and AT but this shelter provides you a little more protection. This can be especially important since this area is prone to getting bad weather. I would suggest filling up with water if you can at the Wayah Bald Campground since there is a nice water source there right along the Bartram trail section. Additionally, if this shelter is filled up its worth it to head back and camp at the other site.

After a long (and I do mean long) climb Wayah Bald finally appeared. There is a wonderful tower atop a tall mountain. At over 5300 feet we were able to see everything. The forest service put in plaques to tell us what we saw. The blue ridge mountains shown blue on this day with clear skies. Many day hikers came up during the extended break. Having a shelter on the bald is a nice way to have a downhill start to tomorrow's hiking. I don't know what created these balds but the break in the trees provide a beautiful scene.