This section of stream is perhaps the most beautiful I have seen so far in my explorations of the mountains of western North Carolina. It's origin lies in the Middle Prong Wilderness Area of the Pisgah National Forest, fed by numerous side creeks springing from the surrounding mountains. Middle Prong is accessed via FR97 and the Haywood Gap Trail. The trail runs along the stream, but above it and out of site due to the thick forest. The only way to enjoy the beauty of Middle Prong 1st hand is to wade and boulder hop along the stream. The images here are from the section of Middle Prong accessed where the Haywood Gap Trail intersects FR97 up to where the trail crosses the stream at Big Beartrap Branch - less than 1 mile. That's right, all of this is in less than a mile. There's more of the stream to explore - I'll be back...
I was recently hiking the Haywood Gap Trail from FR97 above Sunburst. About 300 yards or so past the Middle Prong Wilderness sign, the trail just seemed to vanish. We bushwhacked all over the area, trying to see if the trail picked up later, and never found it. You'd have to pretty much creek hike to get further up in there, but this was in March... Anyone know how to get past that area ?