Hooper Bald is located south of Huckleberry Knob across the Cherohala Skyway and is also reached by a short, easy hike. Although not as scenic from the summit — few mountains are — it is still worth the quick trip while you are touring the many sights of the national scenic byway. The summit features an immense, rectangular grassy bald from west to east, culminating in views north of Huckleberry Knob and west of Haw Knob. This is a great spot for camping and stargazing if you are looking for a quick, overnight trip.
Mile 1.3 – Hike ends at the Hooper Bald Trailhead.
Early October
Video
Hooper Bald
Hooper Bald Hike Comments
Archived Comments
By:Tipi Walter
Rating:
Date of Hike: Thursday, January 15, 2015
I remember one trip when I got dropped off at Huckleberry Knob (highest point in Graham County) and camped on top and then hiked to Hooper Bald (the "back door" logging cut up to the top)---and camped on top and then used FR 2807 (the gated logging road) which is now the Kings Meadow trail and used it to enter the Snowbird backcountry. (Either down to Mitchell Lick Trail 154 or all the way down Kings Meadow to Snowbird Creek at Junction).
I came out on Upper Snowbird Creek trail to Big Junction and used an old trail up to Haw Knob (highest point in Monroe County) and down Haw to Whiggs Meadow and the Benton MacKaye trail.
One thing that is left off of this review: Don't expect to hike Hooper Bald/Huckleberry/Haw in the summer months as motorcycle noise pollution is TERRIBLE coming off the Cherohala Skyway. If you like to hear the roars and screams of motorcycles all day long then Hooper/Huckleberry/Haw is the place to be.