Cumberland Gal: Hooper Bald Azalea Hike 2024

above: flame azaleas dark orange

Hooper Bald Azalea Hike 2024

Kenny & Dana Koogler

1 mile RT hike distance

Sat. June 15, 2024

It has been six weeks since my left knee replacement. Today was the inaugural hike for the new knee! We picked something short, pretty, and easy to begin with. Hooper Bald is a lovely spot any time of year, but during the middle to end of June the native hybridizing azaleas are in bloom. It is an especially pretty time to visit. In my opinion it is the prettiest time of year to visit the bald. The second best time is

Autumn about the first and second weeks of October when the New England Asters are in bloom, and Fall colors are peak! Graham County Travel was promoting the Hooper Bald hike on Facebook. It was a good reminder to me that this was perfect for my new start in 2024.

Kenny and I slept in a bit on Saturday. He's been working himself silly. We made our stop by A Lot Less Factory Outlet in Madisonville for our household items. We headed out and stopped by The Farm House in Etowah for lunch. It was perfect! I love the little town of Etowah. I like that whole area. Next we went looking for Starr Mountain Outfitters. Lo and behold they have moved! They are now about 3.5 miles out RT 30 between Etowah and Athens! The new location is way better!

There is a car dealership, car wash, burger stand and the outfitters all together along the highway.

I got me a nice SMO t shirt I'd been wanting. I got good chapstick. I got a pair of Olukai sandals for $49! That's about 40% off. Kenny got him a pair of On Cloud sneakers for $108. Also 40% off!

They had an event at 6 pm and a fair, but I did not want to stick around. I wanted to get up the road to hike. We took Mecca Pike across to Tellico Plains. We headed straight from there to the Hooper Bald trailhead. It lies a short distance across the state line into North Carolina. We spotted a few vehicles there as we parked, but not too crowded. At least six hikers returned to their vehicles as we were getting ready to go. We had the trail and the bald to ourselves save for one other lady!

Below: There are two picnic tables available at Hooper Bald. It is a pretty spot for a picnic, but be mindful. This area makes its own weather. Even in June bringing a jacket might be a good idea. It can turn cool and foggy in minutes.

**Note to Self** Look into the bathroom situation at Hooper Bald. There used to be a facility right at the trailhead. No more. However I do see a building that resembles a restroom on the secondary road down from the bald. Check into this.

Above: steps climbing the final few feet to the bald

Below: Not sure if the Graham Co. Chamber of Commerce or one of the hiking club's did the signage up there directing traffic.

Above: Looking east at the start of the trail

Below: Looking west at the trail beginning on the bald.

Below: azalea shrub in bloom near the steps

The azalea display begins on the graveled trail from the parking lot. It intensifies once up on the bald itself.

Below: the overlook to the south off Hooper Bald.

Above: closer look at the tilted stone that serves as the overlook

Below: from the overlook you get a clear view of the Snowbird Mountains

We hiked out to the overlook first. It was glorious today. Flanked on both sides by native azaleas. We had perfect, clear weather today for a view! Down in the lower elevations at Etowah and Tellico Plains it was 85 while up high the temperature was around 72 °

We did not hike the trail all the way east on the bald since there isn't much to see past the overlook heading that direction. Instead we doubled back toward where all the good stuff is located.

Below: This azalea shrub sits by the cut across trail to the north side of the bald.

Below: Looking back through the path. Flame azaleas, blackberry blossoms, buttercups, yarrow,

Above: fir trees in the distance.

Above: a pretty spot that clashes just enough to be beautiful. Bold red orange azaleas paired up with pink mountain laurel!

Kenny suggested we cut across to the opposite side of the bald and circle through which we did.

Someone has been up here and cut the trails out. The Benton MacKaye Trail Assoc. was having hikes up there so I wonder if this is their handiwork? It sure was appreciated.

Below: The photo doesn't show the tone of the blooms correctly, but I believe this shade is "Hooper Copper"

Above: another deep orange flame azalea

Below: azaleas and mountain laurel

Above: looking back through one of the "tunnels"

Below: looking down the path that goes to the "rooms" of various colored azaleas. If you stay straight ahead on it the path lead to the Skyway in a fairly short distance,

Above and below: Daylight and darkness at the same time

Above: Another "room" believe it or not this path kept going!

Above: These azaleas look like Vol Orange!

Below : trails opened up and flagged

Above: I'm unsure why some of the flagging was placed.

Above: looking back the way we came as we close our loop hike.

Above: Mountain laurel and a wall of brush and briars. The dark hole at the bottom right beneath that mountain laurel is the spring up on the bald. There is a side path to the left that will take you in there, but it was pretty grown up. Best way to reach it was to stay in the "rooms" and work your way over to it. The spring was flowing well enough to seep down the slope and make the trail leading to the bald have a wet spot.

Below: looking across the bald toward the fir trees from a different vantage point.