Hiking in the Snowbird Backcountry Area

Overview

At over 8000 acres, the Snowbird Backcountry Area protects a significant chunk of the Snowbird Mountains near the Tennessee state line in Graham County, NC, with elevations ranging from around 2400 ft on the low side along Snowbird Creek to over 5200 ft on the Cherohala Skyway.

The Snowbird Backcountry Area is protected as a Wilderness Study Area. It includes the entire upper watershed of Snowbird Creek, including the major tributaries Sassafras Branch and Meadow Branch, and countless smaller ones.

Hiking Trails

History

The Bemis Hardwood Lumber Company logged the valley in the early 1930’s. Because of its low value at the time, most of the hemlock was left, and magnificent specimens were scattered throughout the watershed until killed by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in the early 2000's. Some large American chestnut trees remain at the upper end of the valley. Several significant waterfalls lie along the creek.

Above High Falls, the creek supports a reproducing population of native brook trout. Hooper Bald, one of the largest balds in the Southeast, lies adjacent to the upper boundary of the area. Also near the top of the area is McGuires, site of an old hunting lodge. The pens still stand from which Russian wild boars escaped into the neighboring mountains.

Places to Stay

Camping is allowed anywhere except at the trailheads, but Leave-No-Trace Principles should be followed to protect the pristine creeks.

Directions

From Robbinsville, take Highway 129 North for 1½ miles to the junction with Highway 143 West (Massey Branch Road). Turn left on Highway 143 and travel approx 5 miles to a stop sign. Turn right onto SR1127. Continue for approx 2 miles and bear left at a fork onto SR 1115. After 2 miles the road turns sharply to the left. Travel another mile, cross a bridge and turn right onto SR 1120. The road dead-ends after 6 miles (4 miles of which is gravel) at the trailheads.