Weekend Gem: Panther and Lynn Prong Loop
This nice 14.9 mile loop makes a great overnighter or a long day hike. Either way you slice it, these scenic creek trails are worth your while. Start out by cruising to the TH and hiking up the Middle Prong Trail. This road slowly climbs as it climbs past Lynn Camp Prong Falls and other fine cascades above them when the Creek is forced into a narrow corridor. Shortly thereafter, keep your eyes peeled for a crossing of the Prong and onto the Panther Creek TR. This neat little U shaped valley of a trail as it creeps up to the Miry Ridge TR. slowly but surely. There are several easy crossings of Panther along the way along with several nice little pools to boot. Make a right onto the Ridge at Jakes Gap. We saw several small hogs in broad daylight here! Smooth sailing ridge walking arrives as you climb up to the shoulder of Dripping Springs Mtn. in a bald-esk environment. Good views down to Newt Prong and Bent Arm Ridge beacon future off trail exploration. Continue onto Camp #26 located off the edge of the Ridge in a kind of lonely spot good for getting away from crowed spots like #24 and #30 not far away in the Elkmont area. When You get to Lynn Prong TR. Make a right and shoot down to the Valley floor, opening up to nice sparse forest and hollers. A few tiny crossings are here as you begin to notice the strange openings as you get closer to Camp #28 in Mark’s Cove, this was an old CCC Camp back in the day. Go to the first spot, cross the creek and find a nice secluded single spot to the left and down the hill a bit by the stream.
After a wet night but a dry morning, start down Lynn Camp to the turnoff for Indian Flats Falls by the intersection for Middle Prong TR. The big boulder on a switchback with a small carin indicates the side trail. This rocky way pops out in the small cathedral like cove the Flats are in. Definitely one of my favorites in the Park, and that is saying a lot because we have some great ones. After a nice snack at the Falls, head back down the Trail back to your car and some good burritos and salsa in Maryville.
