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