Wayah Bald facts for kids
Wayah Bald is a beautiful, open area high up in the mountains. It's found in the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin, North Carolina. At its highest point, which is 5,385 feet tall, stands the Wayah Bald Observation Tower. This stone tower was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps to help spot forest fires. Two famous hiking paths, the Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail, both cross right at Wayah Bald.
Many hikers love to visit Wayah Bald, especially in the spring. This is when colorful rhododendron and azalea flowers bloom all over the area, making it a truly special sight.
A Look Back: Wayah Bald's Past
Wayah Bald got its name from the Cherokee people who lived there long ago. They called it "Waya," which is their word for wolf. This was because red wolves used to live in the area. Scientists have found old spear points on the bald. These tools show that people used this area for hunting more than eleven thousand years ago!
The Tower's Story: Damage and Repair
The Wayah Bald Observation Tower has a history of being cared for. In 2009 and 2010, the Forest Service spent about $75,000 to fix the tower's north side. The stones on that wall were falling apart. Workers carefully removed the old stones, repaired the wall with new concrete, and then put the stones back in place.
Later, in 2016, wildfires sadly damaged the tower. Only its strong stone base was left standing. Because of this, the tower had to close to visitors for a while. But people worked hard to fix it! They rebuilt the wooden top of the tower to look just like it did before. The tower was then happily reopened to the public in 2018.
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
