History
The Cherokee were the first known permanent inhabitants of the Hazel Creek valley, although the valley was much more sparsely-populated than the Overhill settlements further down the Little Tennessee valley. A small Cherokee village is known to have existed at the confluence of Sugar Fork and Hazel Creek, and at the time of the arrival of the first settlers, there were Cherokee families living in Possum Hollow. According to local lore, an unmarked Cherokee grave is located near Proctor.
A well-worn Cherokee trail connected Hazel Creek to Cades Cove on the Tennessee side of the Smokies. The trail followed Shehan Branch, crossed the Pinnacle, and ascended Eagle Creek to Ekaneetlee Gap, a col just east of Gregory Bald at the crest, and descended into the cove. From Cades Cove, the trail proceeded to Tuckaleechee Cove and the Overhill settlements. Other less-used trails connected Hazel to Forney Creek on the other side of Welch Ridge to the east and the Tuckasegee River area around modern-day Bryson City.
Read more about this topic: Hazel Creek (Great Smoky Mountains)
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