Beech Creek Trail to Big Scaly Mountain

Name: Beech Creek Trail to Big Scaly Mountain
Rating: 4.0

4.0 ( 1 )

Navigate on-trail with our free app

Trail

9.9 mile 15.9 kilometer loop
78% Runnable
Intermediate/Difficult

Elevation

Ascent: 2,649' 807 m
Descent: -2,650' -808 m
High: 5,065' 1,544 m
Low: 2,578' 786 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 10% (6°)
Max Grade: 56% (29°)

Dogs

Leashed

Driving directions Take a virtual tour

Zoom in to see details

Map Key

To-Do's
Check-Ins

Trail shared by John Pennell

Navigate on-trail with our free app

Weather

Getting forecast...

Current trail conditions

Unknown See History

Popular runs nearby

Wayah Bald Fire Tower stands watch over dense forests and clouded skies.

AT: Winding Stair Gap to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

27.8 mi 44.8 km • Point to Point • 5,316 ft Ascent 1620.42 m Ascent

Singletrack Franklin, NC

( 6 )

View from just below the summit of Rabun Bald on the Three Forks Trail.

Georgia Sky to Summit 25K Trail Race

15.2 mi 24.5 km • Loop • 3,224 ft Ascent 982.75 m Ascent

Singletrack Mountain City, GA

( 2 )

View from William's Pulpit on the Bartram Trail

William's Pulpit Out-and-Back

4.1 mi 6.6 km • Out and Back • 966 ft Ascent 294.52 m Ascent

Singletrack Franklin, NC

( 2 )

Toccoa Swinging Bridge - Photo Credit Samantha Smith Taylor.

Georgia Death Race (GDR)

73.1 mi 117.7 km • Point to Point • 12,914 ft Ascent 3936.31 m Ascent

Singletrack Blairsville, GA

( 14 )

Mysterious Cabin Loop

9.1 mi 14.6 km • Loop • 1,215 ft Ascent 370.47 m Ascent

Doubletrack Cullowhee, NC

( 3 )

Run this trail?

Add details to help others plan their adventure.

“A little-used but fun wilderness run in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness area.”

— John Pennell

GPX File

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

Overview

A nice loop run with a side trip up Big Scaly Mountain for some impressive views of the area.

Description

From the parking area on the side of the road, go south and look out for the trailhead. Sometimes it's marked, and sometimes not. It heads due east, climbing over a steep ridgeline before descending to Beech Creek. From there it follows along the creek for a few miles. Look out for side trails to a couple of different waterfalls.

From the start, it's a pretty good climb, constantly gaining elevation until you reach Case Knife Gap. From there, across from an established camping area, you can leave the main Beech Creek Trail and ascend Big Scaly Mountain for some spectacular views of the area. The sunsets from the top are unparalleled,

The descent on the other side is shorter and steeper, mostly following an old logging road. Once you reach the end of the trail at Tate City Road (gravel), it's about a mile and a half or so back to your starting point.