Huckleberry Knob, W4C/WM-011

Drive Guide - Huckleberry Knob from Knoxville

• Duration: 2:00
• Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/huckknobk
• Google Maps (special 2021): https://tinyurl.com/huckknobd
• Directions:
  • South on Alcoa Hwy, US-129 (toward Maryville)
  • R on US-411 S and go 27.
  • L on TN-68 S and go 12.4
  • L on Cherohala Skyway and go 32.
  • Parking lot on L. Also, roadside parking 500’ before on R, if full.
• Food:
  • Penultimate McDonalds on R in Vonore, TN (combined w/Exxon station)
  • Last McDonalds in Madisonville, TN, on R, just before exit for TN-68

Drive Guide - Huckleberry Knob from Knoxville

• Duration: 2:00
• Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/huckknobk
• Directions:
  • South on Alcoa Hwy, US-129 (toward Maryville)
  • R on US-411 S and go 27.
  • L on TN-68 S and go 12.4
  • L on Cherohala Skyway and go 32.
  • Parking lot on L. Also, roadside parking 500’ before on R, if full.
• Food:
  • Penultimate McDonalds on R in Vonore, TN (combined w/Exxon station)
  • Last McDonalds in Madisonville, TN, on R, just before exit for TN-68

Drive Guide - Huckleberry Knob from Atlanta

• Duration: 3:15
• Google Maps URL from Atlanta (33.917, -84.3378): https://tinyurl.com/huckleberry-2
• Seasonal/Limited Access:
• Directions: CAUTION: Confusing route. I missed a turn in 2014.
  • I-285 W
  • I-75 N
  • I-575 / GA-5 N and go 75 miles
  • @ Blue Ridge McDonalds, continue straight on GA-515 (as GA-5 turns L). Go 1.9
  • L on GA-60 Go only 1.9
  • R on GA-60 Spur – PAY ATTENTION HERE – and go 7.6
  • Straight on NC-60 and go 5.0
  • R on US-74E (follow 74E!) and go 30.4
  • L on US-129N and go 13.0
  • L on NC-143 (Cherohalla Skyway, at sign for “Joyce Kilmer Mem Forest”) and go 3.4
    • Google maps will try and shortcut you to turn left early, just as you reach Robbinsville. Don’t!
    • Continue through Robbinsville to where NC-143 turns L just before US-129 crosses the river.
  • R on NC_143 and go 16.0
• Food
  • Last McDonalds: Robbinsville, NC - Slow service at 2 different times of day. 5 minutes per person in line. Wendy’s served me a stale bun.
  • Penultimate McDonalds: Murphy, NC

Huckleberry Knob from Blood Mtn

• Duration: 2:10 (0:10 slower than Google Maps predicts)
• Directions:
  • North (Left) on US-129 from parking and go 12.4
  • Straight, through traffic circle and go 0.1
  • L on US-76 ramp, L on US-76 and go 0.4
  • R on US-129 and go 14.3
  • R on US-129 and go 13
  • L on NC-143 (Cherohalla Skyway, at sign for “Joyce Kilmer Mem Forest”) and go 3.4
    • Google maps will try and shortcut you to turn left early, just as you reach Robbinsville. Don’t!
    • Continue through Robbinsville to where NC-143 turns L just before US-129 crosses the river.
  • R on NC_143 and go 16.0
• Food
  • Last food in Robbinsville
  • Multiple options in Blairsville on and shortly after the US-76 segment.

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Huckleberry Knob from Wine Spring Bald

• Duration: 1:30
• Directions:
  • Drive downhill and go 0.7
  • R on USFS-69 and go 3.5
  • R on Wayah Rd and go 19
  • L on US-19 S and go 2.1
  • R on US-129 N and go 13.0
  • L on NC-143 (Cherohalla Skyway) and go 3.4
  • R on NC_143 and go 16.0
• Food
  • Last McDonalds: Robbinsville, NC (on right, after Ingles)

Huckleberry Knob TO Atlanta

• Duration: 3:15

• Directions:

  • L on NC_143 and go 16

  • L on NC_143 and go 3.4

  • R on US-129 and go 13

  • R on US-74 and go 30.4

  • L on NC-60 and go 5

  • S on GA-60 Spur (GA-60S) and go 7.6

  • L on GA-60 and go 1.9

  • R on GA-515 and go 1.9

  • S on GA-5 / I-575 and go 75 miles

Trail Guide

• Duration:
  • Up: 0:30 (0.9 mile, climb 400’); Down: 0:20
• Navigation
  • Follow the closed, grassy road from corner of parking area.
  • Pass through first clearing. Continue to follow the road through clearing. If obscured by snow, just head to north edge of clearing.
  • Follow road to summit in second clearing.
  • Activation zone: When the trail enters the clearing on Huckleberry Knob, you are 60’ below the high point. If you need to, you can operate from here.
• Trailhead altitude: 5290
• Summit altitude: 5580
• Grid: EM85ah
• GPS tracks/waypoints:
  • Parking: 35.3135, -83.9911
  • Trailhead: 35.314, -83.991
  • Summit: 35.3221, -83.9938

Summit Guide

• Hang antenna from tree: not on top; there are some low trees at the edge of the clearing, which are just inside the activation zone. You could run something between them, but I don’t think any are 30’ tall.
• Space to guy mast: yes
• Cell coverage: AT&T=no in 2015; Vzn=OK in 2014, no in 2015; APRS=OK in 2015.

Plan-B Candidates

• Hemlock Knob