Attractions Near Franklin, North Carolina

Hiking to the Albert Mountain Firetower

Hiking to the Albert Mountain Firetower

Its summit is very rocky and involves quite a steep ascent from either north or south with some light scrambling if coming up from Mooney Gap. On the summit is a very fine fire lookout that was built in the early 50s to replace an older, wooden structure on Standing Indian Mountain. This fire tower is in excellent repair and was, in fact, a live-in tower with rangers manning it for extended periods.

From NC 64 take the Wallace Gap Road toward Standing Indian Campground. Pass the Campground entrance on FS Road 67 and continue past the Backcountry Information Center (a set of three large bulletin boards) where the road goes from hardtop to gravel. Drive on past Hurrican horse/camp area to the intersection with FS Road 83. Either take the lefthand turn where there's a sign indicating "Albert Mountain" and park as the intersection of the AT and Bearpen Gap Trail. Take the AT up to Albert for a very short hike of about half a mile with a very steep gain of about 400 feet to the summit.