Black Balsam Briars Traditional Cache

A challenging hunt in the Black Balsam series. Don't miss the other Black Balsam caches nearby.

About 1 1/2 miles round trip hike, 1/4 mile of which is a bushwhack through briars.

Despite the discomfort of bushwhacking through briars, please do not cut or stomp a trail! Move through the vegetation as non-destructively as possible by not stepping directly on the canes.

No need to climb a lot on this one - start from the trail, in the saddle, making use of the faint game trail starting about N 35º 19.617 W 82º 52.565. Walk along contour until you're above GZ, then descend. Follow your GPSr crumb trail back if you have one.

During winter months, be sure to check whether the Blue Ridge Parkway is open. Call 828-298-0398; press 1, then 3. The Forest Service access road to Black Balsam Knob intersects the Parkway between Milepost 412 (U.S. 276, Wagon Road Gap) and Milepost 423 (NC 215, Beech Gap).