Transylvania County High Point Trip Report

Chestnut Bald

Date: September 18, 1987
Author: Gene Daniell

While Chestnut Bald can't be ranked really high on the difficulty list since the bushwhack is fairly short, I thought it ranked among the nastiest bushwhacks I've ever done - and I've done a lot in the spruce scrub and blowdown in Maine and New Hampshire. Stout high blackberry canes just a few inches apart - and you could literally pass within two feet of a sign or register without seeing it. Unless things have changed since I was there, I can't imagine how you could be sure of finding the exact summit.

People who visit Chestnut Bald should be aware that there are fine peaks (just not CHPs) nearby. We climbed Chestnut Bald in combination with Sam Knob from the parking area between Sam Knob and Black Balsam Knob, and found Sam Knob a delightful little peak with an easily followed (though, sadly, seriously eroded) herd path to a bare summit - I particularly remember the bright red autumn colors of many leaves and berries on the peak, which made it extremely colorful. You can also make a very fine hike over Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, Grassy Cove Top, and Shining Rock in half a day, or continue to Cold Mountain (which lent its name as the title of a recent popular novel) and its fine summit outlook and back in a full day. Do any of this and the bitter memories of Chestnut Knob will probably evaporate.