Trip West - Smoky Mtn Nat'l Park - Kephart Prong Trail

We choose a shorter hike (4 miles) nearby as Tucson isn't up for long hikes with his joint degeneration.  The Kephart Prong Trail is only a few miles down the road

It begins with a footbridge across the Oconuluftee River.

Built to last the boards are placed edges up

Just a short way down the trail we come across the Great Depression era remains of an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp -  the rock framing for the camp signboard

The Civilian Conservation Corps camp was located here between 1933 and 1942. There was a barracks building, a structure that housed officers, mess hall, recreation hall, and several other structures. The 200-plus members of Company 411 from this camp built six miles of road (NC 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 along the Kephart Prong Trail, which are still buttressed by the original CCC stonework.

It is a 834' elevation gain over the 2 miles in, but it is wooded, shady and cool

We started at 8 a.m.  There was only one car in the parking area and we ran into a man in his 80's with a cane returning to the lot.

We reach the first footbridge

This is not a heavily trafficked hiking trail.  The description on hiking trails in the area is pretty mundane, but we were only looking for something close by and not too difficult.  I was completely surprised how beautiful and interesting this hike was.  I love footbridges!

Gary makes it across

and Bridge 2

I hope they don't mean we have to carry this log to the next crossing!

We continue down the trail a ways

and come across Bridge 3

Don't look down

There are some small falls coming down the mountain along the way

The trail gets rockier

and we come across Footbridge 4

We finally reach the reach the Kephart Shelter

named for Horace Kephart, an early proponent of national park status for the Smokies

Pully system for hanging food away from bears

Gary takes a break while I walk a little further to check the water source

and am surprised with a bonus bridge!

There are still Rhododendron in bloom here

We head back and enjoy the views

and flowers

and hiker art

an Awesome hike!