2019-10-19 Devils Courthouse Area

Blue Ridge Parkway
Devil's Courthouse Area
Middle Prong Wilderness
Haywood County, NC
Saturday, October 19th, 2019

Group Photo at the Devil's Courthouse

L to R:  Kyle, Angelina, Ziggy, Me, Scott

Note:  Johnny would arrive shortly after this photo was taken

The Professor (Scott Burns) and I had originally planned to do a 15+ mile loop hike around the Middle Prong Wilderness.  However, with 100% chance of heavy rain expected later in the day, we decided to stick close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and plan multiple short hikes.  This way, we would never be too far from our vehicles when the rain arrives.

We would start the day with a sunrise hike up to the Devil's Courthouse.  It turns out that the Devi's Courthouse overlook is not the greatest sunrise spot.  However, a short distance down from the overlook is a nice viewpoint to the east which offers a nice view of the sunrise.

Scott and I ran into Kyle, Angelina, and Ziggy while looking for the best spot to view the sunrise.

Sunrise from the Devil's Courthouse

 Sunrise from the Devil's Courthouse

After sunrise, we returned back to the Devil's Courthouse overlook and did a little exploring before meeting up with Johnny. 

The rain did eventually arrive which cut our day short, but it was still a very enjoyable and rewarding morning along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Middle Prong Wilderness.

Here are some photos from our day.

 Kyle, Scott, and Ziggy

  Kyle, Scott, and Ziggy

Angelina way up top!

 some nice fall color

A little off trail exploring (tributary of Buckeye Creek)

This is right about when Ziggy and I got attacked by Yellow Jackets!

Kyle by a not so impressive waterfall

Johnny hiking through the Middle Prong Wilderness

Middle Prong Wilderness view

 Middle Prong Wilderness view 

Fall Color along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Fall Color along the Blue Ridge Parkway 

 Fall Color along the Blue Ridge Parkway 

Blue Ridge Parkway Panorama with Johnny

view of Looking glass Rock from the Blue Ridge Parkway

They rains did eventually come, but it was still a very enjoyable morning of hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway. 


My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157711452651702