Wayah Bald facts for kids
Wayah Bald is a beautiful, open area high up in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. It's a special place because it doesn't have many trees, making it a great spot for amazing views.
At the very top of Wayah Bald, you'll find the Wayah Bald Observation Tower. This stone tower stands tall at 5,385 feet! It was built way back in 1937 by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps. They were a special team that helped build important things during a tough time in history. The tower's main job was to help spot forest fires.
Wayah Bald is also a popular place for hikers. Two famous trails, the Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail, both cross right here. In the spring, the area becomes super colorful when rhododendron and azalea flowers bloom. It's a truly stunning sight!
The Story of Wayah Bald
Wayah Bald got its name from the Cherokee people, who lived here long ago. They called it "Waya," which is their word for wolf. This was because red wolves used to live in this area.
People have been visiting Wayah Bald for a very long time. Scientists have found old spear points here, showing that Native American people used this spot for hunting over eleven thousand years ago!
Fixing Up the Tower
The Wayah Bald Observation Tower has been around for a long time, and it sometimes needs a little help.
In 2009 and 2010, the Forest Service worked to fix the north side of the tower. Some of the stones were breaking down. Workers carefully removed the old stones, put in new concrete, and then placed the stones back. This made the wall strong again.
Later, in 2016, wildfires caused serious damage to the tower. Only the stone base was left standing. Because of this, the tower had to be closed for a while. But don't worry, it reopened in 2018! People worked hard to rebuild the wooden top of the tower, making it look just like it did before.
Images for kids
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Observation tower at the top of Wayah Bald, late December 2007
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Trail markers where the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail meet
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Rocks atop Wayah Bald, just after sunrise
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View to the east just before sunrise
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Sign for the Bartram Trail
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Sunset over Wayah Bald
