Hiking in the Shelton Laurel Backcountry Area, North Carolina
General Information
The beautiful valley of Shelton Laurel Creek, and the coves, tributaries, and mountains lining it to the North comprise a beautiful, remote part of the Pisgah National Forest, known as the Shelton Laurel Backcountry Area.
The Appalachian Trail and Tennessee State Line run along the mountains' spine, and trails climb from the valleys below up to the AT, passing beautiful old-growth forests, cascading streams and waterfalls, and serene mountainsides. Loop options for day hiking exist, some of which involve a climb up to the AT on one trail and a climb back down on another, although some of these are better-suited to backpacking trips.
Hiking Trails
One short out-and-back hike to the Waterfall on the West Prong of Hickey Fork is highly recommended.
History
Many folks, especially those interested in history, would be familiar with this area not because of its hiking trails, but because of what happened near here in the Winter of 1863. Dubbed the "Shelton Laurel Massacre", 13 civilian members of the Shelton family who originally settled the Big Laurel Creek valley were taken prisoner and killed by Confederate soldiers, accused of being Union sympathizers. You can find a good history of the story on this site, but be aware that it does generate a popup advertisement.
Take a hike, and gain a sense of what these mountain settlers were up against when they first arrived. Imagine attempting to carve a homestead, farm, and community out of the round coves and sharp ridges, and imagine doing it without power tools or electricty. Imagine how a community that struggled so hard, and was separated physically and mentally from the war by miles of mountain wilderness, must've sufferred by losing so many of their own to such a senseless act.
Directions
NC Hwy. 212 east of Hot Springs serves the area around Shelton Laurel Creek. There are two main parking areas off of NC 212: Hickey Fork (Map Point A) and Big Creek (Map Point B). Both are signed along NC 212 as Shelton Laurel Backcountry Area with Forest Service brown signs. Both lead to Forest Service gravel roads and parking areas, although Hickey Fork Road itself will have to be hiked to reach some of the trails since it is still closed after floods damaged it in 1999. The Hickey Fork trail itself starts at the gate.
From Asheville, follow I-26 west (US 19/23 north) for about 8 miles to Weaverville. Take exit 19 for US 25/70 west toward Hot Springs and go 21.3 miles. US 25/70 splits left at the Big Laurel River after a very curvy section; continue straight on to NC Hwy. 208 and go 3.5 miles to NC Hwy. 212. Turn right; Hickey Fork Road is on the left after 7 miles, and Big Creek Road is on the left after 11.3 miles.
