The Directions to the lookout tower.
In Franklin, NC take Hwy-64 W towards Murphy, NC for 12 miles. At just before the 12th mile you will see a brown sign for “Wallace Gap”, “Appalachian Trail” & “Standing Indian Campground” with arrows pointing you towards West Old Murphy Road (SR 1448) on your left. Stay on West Old Murphy Rd. for 2 miles. You’ll pass a Nantahala National Forest sign for the campground saying “500 Ft Ahead”, and at 2 miles you’ll be at FR (Forest Road) #67 to your right (indicated by a small, skinny Brown sign at the beginning of the road).
Continue 1.8 miles on FR 67 until you come to a fork in the road. To your right will be the entrance to “Standing Indian Campground”, avoid going right and continue on FR 67 to the left. If you watch out the windows you’ll see a tower so far away, you’ll think it can’t be it – it’s it!
In about 0.3 miles the road will turn to gravel at the Nantahala National Forest Backcounrty Info Kiosk. Continue on FR #67 past Laurel Falls & Trail & Mooney Falls &Trail, until you come to another fork in the road at 8 miles from where the pavement turned to gravel. This is the intersection of FR #67 and FR #83 (towards Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory and Pickens Nose Trail).
To get to Albert Mountain, make sure you bear left (following the brown sign’s arrow that is in front of you). From this intersection, stay left & straight, you are 2.1 miles from the trailhead for Albert Mtn.
You’ll know you’re there when the road dead ends. From here there are NO signs for Albert Mountain Fire Tower, only a gated trail at the back of the circular parking area. Head down this gated road & look for a sign that reads, “Hiker trail, closed to motor vehicles, horses and pack stock” on a nearby tree just past the gate. This path is also “Blue Blazed”. This will confirm you are at the right trail. Stay on this trail for about 0.2 mile until you intersect another trail, this is the Appalachian Trail (White Blazed). Take a right onto the A.T. Continue up the ridge line (steep grade) about 0.2 mile to the top of Albert Mountain, where you’ll find the fire tower, on the last bit you’ll see it thru the trees!
Bring snacks, water, and something to cook!