Waynesville NC - Kephart Prong Hike

After two years we do the Kephart Prong Trail

Cross over the Oconaluftee River

It starts out pretty level

Passes by the remains of an old CCC Camp and the rock framing for the camp signboard.

Chimney from the camp barracks 

Then the footbridges begin

The 200-plus members that occupied this camp built six miles of road (Highway 107), created the water system that still serves Newfound Gap, built almost two dozen fish rearing ponds, constructed parking areas, and played an important role in the construction of Newfound Gap Road. The company also took part in trail work, including the construction of many of the footbridges 

The trail follows and crosses the Kephart Prong several times

At 4.2 miles round trip with  955' elevation gain it is considered a moderate to difficult trail

When we cross one bridge there is this log across the creek.  Looks like a new bridge is being put in.

It's a long one

Another bridge

A bridgeless crossing

And another

The trail gets a bit more difficult

Finally we get a glimpse of the Kephart Shelter

We made it!

There's another bridge just beyond the shelter 

We make it back to where the new bridge was being made.  Looks like it's being worked on now

Looks like it's just over 46' long

Signs of a crew being  here, hope the bear we saw cross the trail a little ways back didn't get them

The final stretch 

And back to the beginning 

The next morning we wake up to Cows in the camping area behind us 

They have a little picnic before the farmers came and took them home

 

Waynesville NC - Frying Pan Lookout

 Gary and I finally decided to hike the Frying Pan Tower trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Through the Tunnel

And the tower comes into view

The trail is a Forest service road that leads up to the Tower

The trail is 1.5 miles round trip

The 70-foot fire tower is among the tallest of its kind in Western North Carolina. Constructed in the 1940s.

5 flights up, about 100 steps

360° views

The top level was supposed to be locked, but someone broke off the chain.  Of course vandals got in a graffitied the windows, walls and floor.

One of the nicest Fire Towers we've been on.  got its name from the neighboring Frying pan Gap, which was named by pioneersfor  a frying pan that was often hung in a tree in the camp. 

Back down we go

Glad to finally get this hike done!