Scaly Mountain is the big brother of nearby Little Scaly Mountain, and is sometimes referred to as Big Scaly to avoid confusion between the two. Located near Highlands, North Carolina, Big Scaly is a pluton mountain, with a rocky, granite face and sheer cliff faces. A combination of the Hurrah Ridge Trail, West Fork Trail, and Bartram Trail will lead hikers to the top on a 7-mile loop from the Hurrah Ridge Trailhead. Camping is allowed in the National Forest near the mountain, but backpackers should be aware that much of the property on Scaly Mountain is privately owned, and they should take note of any signs posted.

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