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West Prong Hickey Fork Falls, Camp Creek Bald, and Big Firescald Knob - Pisgah National Forest, NC

1,327 views · Published 6 June 2017 · 21:11 · Indexed 11 October 2026

Channel: Zachary Robbins · 2017 · Travel & Events

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This was my first time hiking in the Shelton Laurel Backcountry Area, part of the Appalachian Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest. The trailhead is located northeast of Hot Springs. I started with the Hickey Fork Trail, crossing East Prong Hickey Fork then a wet ford of West Prong Hickey Fork. It rained heavily the prior few days and the creeks were raging. There are multiple waterfalls around a confluence of multiple streams but they are difficult to view. First was a long slide that was difficult to explore because of the water level. There was another waterfall on a side branch that was blocked by huge rhododendrons. The main attraction is West Prong Hickey Fork Falls at the top of the gorge area, ~25 feet high.

The trail ends at the Pounding Mill Trail, which intersects the Appalachian Trail near the state border. I hiked up to Camp Creek Bald (4,844 ft) which was obscured by dense clouds. This is the oldest lookout tower in the state and is in mediocre condition. Usually the top is closed but the local radio club which maintains it happened to be there, so I got to explore the weird top cab. Next I followed the road down to Jones Meadow and to the site of the former Viking Mountain resort. As I explored random side trails the clouds lifted and I finally got some views. I made Blackstack Cliffs my next stop after I saw them from the resort site. You get some great views from the cliffs of Camp Creek Bald and west into Tennessee.

Although it was late afternoon I continued north on the AT to Big Firescald Knob. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a terrific stretch of exposed ridgeline with views in every direction. You could see Big Butt, Gravel Knob, and Green Ridge Knob immediately north, with Big Bald in the distant northeast. Rows of peaks in the Bald Mtns lined the Shelton Laurel Creek watershed. You could spy the Great Craggies and Blacks in the distance. Camp Creek Bald looked massive to the south. On the way back I made a quick stop at Whiterock Cliff off the AT, another really nice spot with views of the Hickey Fork watershed. This remote area has a lot more to see than I expected.

I apologize about the video quality. I decided to try shooting at 60 fps and didn't realize how shaky my videos were until after the hike. I had to edit everything with anti-shake, and it reduced the quality while still containing some queasy moments. 

Hike was 16.5 miles in 8 hours and 15 minutes.

Hike location
https://goo.gl/maps/QAbFFCcKDV17z3Ur6

Hike report
https://www.hikingupward.com/PNF/BigFirescaldKnob/

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