Chunky Gal Road
Good anytime, but REALLY nice in autumn
MILEAGE SET at US64W at X of Old Murphy Road & US64.
2.0 MILES Nantahala National Forest Sign
2.25 MILES - Large site. Cross traffic into a “negative” overlook
Scene 1: az is 270° to 260° of rocky side of mtn
isolated red mapels, tulip poplars up higher, oaks near top of ridge
golden rod, blue & white aster,
Scene 2: View az 090° of distant horizon toward FKN
980824 - sourwoods are very red, goldenrod,
2.8 View of hillside - Great in spring and autumn. Lots of shadows.
Scene is LH climbing turn 3200’
Straight ahead as you enter the LH curve mainly tulip poplars, some maples
Az is from 290° to 230° as you come around curve
Excellent lighting & shading when sun is 130° to 240°
3.1 Site 3250’ - Pull off road to left, crossing downhill traffic
Scene AZ is 330° to 290° ( look for sun to be at 110° to 210°)
Steep hillside across hwy
Maples, poplars on hillside
Large rocks
3.6 Overlook 3400’
Scene 1 is view of Franklin, near guardrail, facing E
View az is 060°to 080°
Scene 2 of trees & flowers below OL, other side of guardrail, looking down, Az is 030° to 060°, below level
Sun may not hit this scene past 2 p.m.
Great autumn scene
River birches, red maples, tulip poplars, oaks, pines
G.Rod, B.Aster, blackberries
Scene 3 of trees over road at OL
Az is 280° to 340°
mainly tulip poplars, other mesophytic varities.
Great during late afternoon sun in autumn or late summer
Sun should be 200° to 240°
980824 - basically appears to be late summer
4.1 Appalachian Trail (AT). 3820 ‘ NOTE: This is crest of Nantahala Mtns.
Scene 1 is AT
general area
Trail descends from forest
Scene 2 across road is forest trail
Scene 3 is 070° of distant horizon (toward FKN) between two cliff sides.
5 Descent
5.8 X of Old US64
.35 View of field
pull off road to left side crossing traffic.
Scene is field to north
flat land with steep mountains right behind it.
.5 X with Rainbow Springs Rd to right
1.45 Milksick Waterfall on right - Can pull off road to right side on bridge
View Az of waterfall is 295°
1.6 - 1.8 View of Firescald Ridge
Pull off on north/west side of road (cross east-bound traffic)
Scene is looking at mountain side to E and SE.
Good evening shots during late summer to late autumn
TuPops, Rmaple, Oak, pine
View Az is 090° to 130°
Sun provides good texture when it is at 230° to 250°
980824 - very little color on the ridge (if really any).
2.25 Clay County
2.6 X of Deep Gap Road (FR 71)
3.1 Through valley - Site is off road to right side
Scene 1 is view of hillside across road
Viewing Az is 120° to 140°
Tulip poplars, red maples, oaks, pines
Sun should be 240° to 270°
980824 - birches showing a “new Green” perhaps a precursor to changing, sourwoods purple
Scene 2 is view of curve of road to the right and hillside to right.
Viewing Az is 235°
Sun Az should be >235°
3.5 Rocky bend inside curve - Several sites.
Several sites/ scenes include rocks
birches, Rmap.
Grod, Asters, Sunflowers
viewing Az and sun Az are variable
980824 birches almost yellow, poplars with some yellow - goldenrod, BESusan, sourwoods very purple.
4.0 Rocky bend outside curve Same as item at 3.6 mi above
Many birches near road, rmaps behind, tupops above them
4.3 X with Buck Creek forest access road.
4.4 to 4.8 Chunky Gal East flanking approach
5.0 Birches just begining to bud (970501)
4.8 to 5.5 Chunky Gal crossing move
5.4 to 5.9 Chunky Gal West flanking curve
5.9 FS road
6.5 Overlook - Site
Scene is rocky cliffs back across U64
There are a number of scenes
with almost infinite Az of view.
South observation site
Summer view: Vt 185° - 230°
Winter view: Vt 120°? - 230°
Lower south observation site (below rim)
Obscured by tree cover except in winter
Turnaround site:
Summer view: Vt 200° - 260°
Winter view: Vt 130°? - 260°
view futher to right: Vt to 300° at 12° elevation.
Good sun Az would probably be 230° to 250°
