On the drive up to Wayah Bald, you pass Wilson Lick Ranger Station. Originally built in 1916, Wilson Lick Station was used by the watchmen that were commissioned to keep watch over the forest below for fires.
Not only were the rangers in charge of keeping watch over the forest for fires, but their days were often spent brushing rights-of-ways and repairing telephone lines in the 1930s, as well as issuing grazing permits for the stock that freely roamed the mountains at that time.
This is a nice little stop on the way up to Wayah Bald Lookout.
Hiking trails:
Bartram Trail (Yellow Blaze) passes through the Wayah Bald Lookout Tower area
Appalachian Trail (White Blaze)
Additional sites in this area:
Wayah Bald Lookout Tower (3.4 miles)
Grassy “Bald”
Picnic Tables: No (Open field would be great for a blanket picnic) Picnic tables are located at the Grassy “Bald” on top of mountain
Restrooms: No (near-by restrooms can be found near Wayhah Bald Lookout Tower)
Parking fees: No
Entrance fees: No
Nearest City: Franklin, NC
Directions from Hayesville, NC to Wilson Lick Ranger Station:
From Franklin, take Hwy-64 W towards Hayesville, NC for 3.8 miles to Old Murphy Rd. (SR 1448) on your right (you’ll see a Wayah Bald sign as well). Continue on this road for .2 miles to Wayah Road (SR 1310) on your left. Continue on Wayah Rd. for 9 miles, then you’ll turn right on FR #69 (Wayah Gap). Take this gravel road. You’ll see the Ranger station on your right.
