Little Sam Knob, Haywood County (9-5-16)
Read MoreFlat Laurel Creek Trail -- 5,400'
With no trail to the top of Little Sam I began to make my plans for leaving the trail as I approached its northern slope. I decided that the off-trail going would be much easier through the red spruce forest on its western half. I therefore continued on the Flat Laurel Creek Trail until the forest on my left became for conifer-y...
Flat Laurel Creek Trail -- 5,360'
Just beyond the view of the creek in the previous shot I decided to leave the main trail and make my bid for the top of Little Sam. Numerous 'paths' led up the slope but none really go anywhere. I simply stuck to my plan heading in a general southwesterly direction uphill, knowing I'd enter the more open spruce forest shortly...
Little Sam Knob -- 5,862'
Though I hadn't read anything to the effect, it looked to me like there might be some limited views from the western side of Little Sam's summit. Exploring a bit I quickly found a small ledge with this spectacular view of Mount Hardy (6,110') and the surrounding Middle Prong Wilderness...
Little Sam Knob -- 5,862'
It was difficult to locate the eastern cliffs of Little Sam as my GPS had quit working. There's no obvious trail from the summit out to them and they're hidden in a thick blanket of rhododendron and laurel. To reach them I headed about 60 paces south from the summit and struck out east into the shrubbery. Within a minute or two of literal bushwhacking I emerged onto the ledges I was looking for and this jaw dropping panorama is what greeted me...
Little Sam Knob -- 5,862'
Looking down to Flat Laurel Creek from the cliffs. Almost the entirety of my route up to this point could be seen from here. I began near the dark spruce forest at the upper right, descended to the open field seen in the center, then dropped to the creek below before making my way up here...
Flat Laurel Creek Trail -- 5,500'
Not all that long ago the route that the current trail follows was a forest service road open to vehicles. I've talked to a few old-timers in the area who remember fondly coming up here with their families to pick berries or hunt. I can understand their disappointment in how things have changed but personally appreciate no longer having cars up here...
Flat Laurel Creek-Little Sam Trail Junction -- 5,550'
A half mile or so above the Sam Knob Trail the Little Sam Trail splits south. Despite sharing a name with the peak I just climbed this trail doesn't get anywhere near its summit but rather runs alongside it providing a connector path with the nearby MST...