Whiterock Mountain via Bartram Trail – about 4.5 mile moderate hike. The hardest part of this hike may be finding the trailhead if you’re not familiar with the area.
Directions:
Turn off US 64 between Franklin and Highlands at Gold Mine Road and follow it to Gold Mine Church. Just before the church parking lot, turn left on a dirt road. About 2.3 miles up this road, near the top of a long climb, an unmarked dirt road turns sharp right. Follow this road to Jones Gap and find a parking area.
Take the yellow-blazed Bartram Trail to the right out of the gap, across a couple of fields (views), then down a long gentle descent back of Jones Knob to Whiterock Gap. Follow the Bartram for another 0.7 mile, watching for the blue-blazed trail to the left. This trail takes you to the rocky face of Whiterock Mtn, with great views down into Tessentee valley and across to the Nantahala Mountains, and Albert Mountain on the Appalachian Trail.