Solo backpacking trip around the perimeter of the Middle Prong Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest, NC. On the first day I ascended the brutal Green Mountain Trail from Sunburst Campground to wonderful views from Green Knob. The trail beyond that had many spots with great views. I camped on a high, grassy plateau overlooking Mt. Hardy and Rough Butt Knob.

On the 2nd day I did a quick summit tag of Mt. Hardy before continuing west on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through beautiful forest. I then descended on the steep Haywood Gap Trail following beautiful Haywood Gap Stream and the namesake Middle Prong West Fork Pigeon River. There are many hidden waterfalls in this drainage, but almost all are not trail accessible. After trail crossing below a small 15-foot waterfall on Middle Prong, I mustered the energy to bushwhack into a steep gorge to see the amazing Middle Prong Falls tucked into a small canyon. It was a great but tough weekend to explore a wilderness for the first time.

Hike distance was 19.7 miles with 4,181 feet elevation gain in 14 hours over 2 days.

Hike location
https://goo.gl/maps/ihYhy7EyhGhzLhFw9

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