Kephart Prong, Sweat Heifer, Dry Sluice, Grassy Branch

Hike #55 : November 14, 2015

16.4 miles

9.5 new miles
675.2 total overall miles

437.5 total miles of 800.8


For this hike we're heading up to Charlies Bunion by way of Kephart Prong and looping around clockwise via Sweat Heifer, the AT, Dry Sluice and Grassy Branch. This is one of many of our long anticipated Fall hikes.

View from Charlies Bunion

I parked at the SVC and rode with Randy up the mountains where we were fortunate to catch the sunrise at Newfound Gap.

Sunrise at Newfound Gap

We also stopped at a few of the pull-offs along the way...

Webb Overlook

We met up with Eddie at the Kephart Trail trailhead around 8am with temperatures in the upper 20s and were soon on our way. In no time at all we came to the ruins of the old CCC camp from the 1930s. CCC Company 411 once occupied much of this area. Although we didn't have a lot of time to explore, we did take in several cool artifacts including the obvious stone chimney, stone announcement board, a very cool stone water fountain, the foundations of the old barracks and some other interesting relics before moving on.

CCC Camp on Kephart Prong

Farther along we cross the first of many foot bridges. An unusual one at that.

Unique foot bridge on Kephart Prong Trail

As the trail begins a gradual climb, we spot the large concrete cistern on the left that was once part of a fish hatchery built in 1936.

Remains of the fish hatchery

As we continued on, we pass a few old railroad rails just before the trail begins to narrow. This part of the trail was once a railroad used by the Champion Lumber Company. The trail is a constant and rocky climb until reaching the junction with Sweat Heifer and Grassy Branch. Just a few steps beyond the junction is the Kephart Prong Shelter.

Kephart Prong Shelter

Since we'll be looping around, we decide to go up Sweat Heifer and we'll return here from Grassy Branch later.

Sweat Heifer continues our climb. Having the word "sweat" in the name of the trail would seem purposeful and very fitting. I'm about to break a sweat just writing about it. It sure wasn't long before we shed our jackets. At less than 2 miles from the junction, we spot what looks like a really nice cascade down the ridge to our left. We immediately begin looking for a side trail or some route down. At this point, Randy claims there is a faint trail. So faint, only he can see it.

I will note that after several hikes with the mountain jedi, Mike Maples, it is nearly impossible to resist the temptation of wandering off trail for that magical high of discovery. So, against my better judgement (I say that a lot), down we go. Down, down, down. Through briars and thick rhododendron until we see that this is not just a pretty cascade but a sizable waterfall. Well, there's no turning back now!

As if the ugly of trying to navigate impassable brush wasn't enough, the ground below us suddenly becomes ultra-saturated. Water was literally gushing from each step. Zero traction. Did I mention this was Randy's idea? At one point my right leg took a slide leaving my entire body weight (and there's plenty of that) awkwardly pinning my bent left leg and foot in some unnatural and rather painful position. Randy had to help me up or else I'd had to roll over in the mud to break the position I found myself stuck in. I'm still paying for that. Sometimes I get to wondering if I'm too old for this shit. Nah... surely not.

Finally, after half an hour of abusing ourselves, we somehow manage to get there. Worth. Every. Step. It was amazing!

Hidden waterfall off Sweat Heifer Trail

Here's a quick video...




After celebrating this incredible find, we soon became aware that we had to climb back up that ridge. Joy. By the way, I took it upon myself (and Eddie egging me on) to declare the falls Cameron Falls. Hear ye! Hear ye! From this day forth...

Randy forging up into the ugly.

Mud. Leg pain. Ripped pants. Stabbing Rhodo branches. Knee pain. Briars. More mud. Steep straight up hill climb. Foot pain. Wet feet. This was rough. Really rough. Worth it? Totally.

Back on the trail after losing an hour playing, we continue up the real trail. Sweat Heifer is a really nice trail with several nice views along the way and even a nice cascade that doesn't require blood to see.

Along the Sweat Heifer Trail

After 3.7 miles, Sweat Heifer ends at the Appalachian Trail. Just before the junction, however, there are some amazing views.

View from the Sweat Heifer Trail, just steps from the AT

Once we hit the AT, we go right towards the Boulevard. Thankfully Eddie said its just a mile down hill. As we start climbing UPhill, I'm reminded of how much Eddie lies. Like, a lot. That mile feels a lot longer than it is. Then again, all that off-trail madness stole a lot of my energy. When we did finally reach the junction with the Boulevard Trail, we take it and head the .3 of a mile to the Jump Off. At this point, the entire hike has almost all been uphill and its starting to weigh on me in addition to the pains shooting around my left leg and foot. The view when we reached the Jump Off made me forget all that. Absolutely breathtaking!

The Jump Off

Randy proved his fear of heights is stronger than mine and left me and Eddie behind when we wandered too close to the edge for his comfort. After taking a lot of pictures, we finally move on. When we get back to the AT we turn left and head towards the Icewater Spring Shelter where we can't wait to have lunch. We met back up with Randy, ate, talked with some nice tourists from (I think) New Jersey and were back on the trail headed to Charlies Bunion.

We finally get to go downhill some. Thank God!

After about a mile from the shelter, we arrive at the Bunion. The view is stunning. Visibility is through the roof and we can see for miles and miles and miles. The clearest view I've ever experienced from here, by far.

View from Charlies Bunion

The pain in my leg is nonexistent with all the beauty and excitement so I climbed the rock face up to the upper Bunion. That was pretty awesome!

Eddie standing atop the upper bunion

From the Bunion, we head on along the AT a short ways to the Dry Sluice Gap Trail. Along the way we are treated to yet another amazing view.

View from the Appalachian Trail

Dry Sluice greets us with about a half mile of more uphill before heading down to the junction with Grassy Branch Trail at 1.3 miles from the AT.

Grassy Branch appears to have been heavily logged back in the day. Most all the trees are young and small in comparison to other trails. Grassy Branch is a root covered trail in many areas with the freshly fallen leaves providing a dangerous camouflage for tripping. Its also a very wet and muddy trail in spots. After a day of incredible views, its also a bit underwhelming. Its what I would call a mile marker trail. Not much to see... just a walk in the woods.

2.5 miles from Dry Sluice and we arrive back to the Kephart Prong Shelter and the the return trip to the parking lot down Kephart Prong Trail.

My leg had started hurting again on the way out and I make a mental note to myself to reevaluate whether or not to trust Randy's instincts on faint "trails" leading off-trail. As the sun sets on another blessed and amazing day in the Smokies, I'm truly thankful for these mountains, my ability to somehow hike them and even the couple of knuckleheads I hike them with. Happy hiking...

TRAIL REVIEW

Kephart Prong Trail - 2.0 miles (one way)

Sweat Heifer Trail - 3.7 miles

Appalachian Trail - 2.7 miles

Boulevard/Jump Off Trail - 0.3 miles

Dry Sluice Gap Trail - 1.3 miles

Grassy Branch Trail - 2.5 miles


Kephart Prong Shelter

Icewater Spring Shelter

Wanna hike the 900 without getting lost? Start by checking out the book Day Hiker's Guide To All The Trails In The Smoky Mountains by Elizabeth L. Etnier.

Hiking Trails of the Smokies or "The Little Brown Book" from the GSMA

Hiking Trails of The Great Smoky Mountains by Ken Wise

There is loads of information in the pages of GoSmokies.com.