Hike Length: 2.4 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Shelton Laurel (Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery
Trailhead GPS: 35.99447,-82.70454
Waterfall GPS: 35.99547,-82.71756
Directions:
From Hot Springs, head northeast on US-25/US-70 for about 5 miles and turn left on NC-208 north. Go 3.5 miles and turn right on NC-218 north. In 6.9 miles, turn left on Hickey Ford Road, which becomes Forest Road 465. The trailhead is on the right after 1.2 miles, right before the gate.
Map:
Hike Description:
Continue up the forest road past the gate and turn left to get on Hickey Fork Trail (#292). The trail immediately crosses East Prong Hickey Fork on a footbridge.
The trail then swings around to the West Prong Hickey Fork drainage, crossing the creek and following it upstream. At about 1.2 miles, the trail passes by a long slide on the creek, but there's nowhere for a good view except at the top.
West Prong Hickey Fork Falls is just a short ways past this. A steep path leads to the creek at the base of the waterfall.
The trail continues beyond here to meet up with Pounding Mill Trail and then Appalachian Trail at Camp Creek Bald.
The trail then swings around to the West Prong Hickey Fork drainage, crossing the creek and following it upstream. At about 1.2 miles, the trail passes by a long slide on the creek, but there's nowhere for a good view except at the top.
West Prong Hickey Fork Falls is just a short ways past this. A steep path leads to the creek at the base of the waterfall.
The trail continues beyond here to meet up with Pounding Mill Trail and then Appalachian Trail at Camp Creek Bald.
US Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/recarea/?recid=48574
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