SOTA Guide - Barnett Knob, W4C/WM-055

Drive Guide - Barnett Knob from Atlanta

Note: This looks to be just outside parkway land, on Cherokee territory.

  • Duration: 2:50
  • Google Maps URL from Atlanta (33.917, -84.3378): https://goo.gl/maps/8ggQXCn7TCr
    • WARNING: Google does not know that the Blue Ridge Parkway is limited access. When the parkway has an overpass over a BIA dirt road, Google may think it is an intersection. (E.g. BIA 413 a.k.a. Dobson Ridge Rd.) If the road is closed through Cherokee, follow US-19 east from Cherokee all the way to its intersection with the parkway (about a 15-minute detour).
    • Note: There’s a river through Cherokee, NC. Google will route you up the east side of the river. 441 runs up the west side of the river. They are about the same at 7 AM, but if the tourists are out, 441 may be slooow.
  • Seasonal/Limited Access: The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed in snowy weather. Check the BRP Closure Map.
  • Directions:
  • I-285 to I-85 North.
  • I-985 and US-23 to Clayton.
  • Follow US-441 from Clayton to Cherokee.
  • Left on US-441 in Cherokee, to parallel the river and go 2.8.
  • Right onto Blue Ridge Parkway and go 6.8.
  • Look for a gated road to your right.
    • Note: If you’re headed toward Cherokee, look for a gated road on your left at 35.52482,-83.22941
    • BRP MM 462.5
  • Food
    • Last McDonalds: Cherokee

Drive Guide - Barnett Knob from Bunches Bald

  • Duration:
  • Head back the way you came and go 0.1
  • At the green shed there’s a 3-way fork plus a 90 degree left.
    • 90 degree left goes into campground (past the shower building)
    • Left fork is “option 2” above. It has a speed bump as of 2013.
    • Middle fork is somewhat hidden and goes downhill. It is “option 1” above.
    • Right fork goes up and to the right and leads who-knows-where.
  • R onto Heintooga Ridge Rd and go 0.8 (if option 2) or 300 ft (if option 1).
  • R on Blue Ridge Pky and go 4.1
  • Park on dirt road to left at 35.52482,-83.22941
  • BRP MM 462.5

Trail Guide

  • Duration: 0.6 miles; 0:16 up, 0:08 down (hurrying)
  • Navigation
    • Follow the dirt road to the fire tower and antenna towers at the top.
    • Easy hike; easy navigation.
  • Trailhead altitude: 4286
  • Summit altitude: 4652
  • GPS tracks/waypoints:
    • Grid Square EM85jm
    • Trailhead: 35.52482,-83.22941
    • Summit: 35.52450,-83.23630

Summit Guide

  • Hang antenna from tree: Yes, just off the summit.
  • Space to guy mast: Yes
  • Cell coverage: AT&T:unknown; VZN=Yes; APRS:unknown
  • Unique features: Fire tower and antenna towers on top

Plan-B Candidates

  • Waterrock Knob, Bunches Bald