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