Firebird, Good trail report. I started at FS rd. 58 and hiked in to South Harper Falls a few weeks ago and you are right that 1.6 mile section down to where it meets the MST just above Harper Creek Falls is tough, took me 2 hrs and met a few copperheads along the way. Your picture of South Harper Falls is a good one. At the dogleg in the falls the large rock is a geat place to take a break and enjoy the creek running by you.
The best map is the US Forest Service Wison Creek National Wild and Scenic River Trail Guide Pisgah National Forest. You can get the map from any outfitter in Boone or from
http://www.friendsofwilsoncreek.org/main.asp
A link to most of the Waterfalls in the area is
http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/wilson_creek1.htm If you start out at Beacon Heights on the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike the 24 miles to Hwy 181 on the MST you will hit 95% of the waterfalls and have lots of good hammock camping by the streams and river. There is a great camping place at the junction of Upper Creek and Burnthouse creek at a waterfall not on any maps.
The 8 mile section of the MST between Hwy 181 and Table Rock along Steeles Creek is good also.
http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/steels1.htm
It is safe to leave a car parked at Hunt Fish Falls, Beacon Heights, Hwy 181, Chestnut Mtn, Wison Creek Visitor Center,intersection of FS Roads 58 and 464 and at Roseborough Rd FS Rd.981 where the MST crosses. Hope this helps some.
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