My wife wanted to tell anyone with young kids to not do this trail. You'll end up having to carry them up the rock hollows, which are flowing with water. The rock in the hollows has really good grip (at least with my hiking boots they did), but there are a couple spots that can be a bit sketchy especially if a good rain has occurred recently. The trail itself is absolutely beautiful, despite the current flooded state at the bottom. The main trail is underwater at times (as of March 17, 2019), but people have blazed their own side trail around the flooded zones. This unofficial trail is very easy to follow. You can usually see the main trail's markers on trees sticking out of the water. When considering the massive rock faces, views across the river and floodplain below, the unique rock hollow climb/descent (you go up one and down another), fantastic rock formations, and the feeling of walking on a thin ridgeline, this is my choice for best hike in the Shawnee National Forest. For only 3 miles, it sure does pack a lot of scenery in it and is very popular.
I did the full Peak to Prosperity Trail (and back) this weekend. It was just under 11 miles each way. If you are wanting to stage a car at the Prosperity end, there is a small parking area about a mile short of the end of the trail, at the intersection of the trail and State Road S-36-164 (west corner), near the Mid Carolina (Golf) Club. The driveway is just NNW of the bridge over the trail. There is currently a large tree fallen over the trail maybe 100 yards from the end.
There were a fair number of people on the trail, especially later in the day. Mostly hikers, campers, and few cyclists.
Very fun hike. There were about 5-7 creek crossings. Walk through 3 grassy fields next to and in the creek. Then goes into hardwood forest until it gets closer to the falls where you have to start rock climbing to get to the falls. Not for small children but my Jack Russell loved it.
Krista Culbreth saved Blue Sky Reserve to Ramona Lake Trail
1 minute ago