Right from the start, there was a side trail leading to a cemetery, but I neglected to follow it, choosing to hit it on the way back. The first mile of West Prong is all up through open woods and broad hillsides. Very few wildflowers could be seen in the dark, green forest. After leveling out for a quarter mile, the trail descends a few hundred feet to a feeder creek crossing and then over a long footbridge over the West Prong. The bridge provides a safe crossing, offers a pleasant view of the river, and unites the two halves of campsite #18. This campsite is well kept and situated in a small gorge with sounds of the West Prong filling the air.
As promised on the way back, I took the side loop to the Walker Family Cemetery which actually looks down upon the parking lot for West Prong. It is an impressive cemetery to say the least, with a carefully crafted wooden fence and entrance gate. There was a decent path around the gravestones and the fake floral arrangements were everywhere, brightening up the dark surrounding woods. Most of the names included Walker, Stinnett, Moore, and McCarter, some old, some young, some from the past, others just recently passing. I was also impressed by the obvious loop trail that one could follow to get there. In so many places throughout the park, cemeteries are hidden, overgrown, poorly situated, and disregarded. But this one is certainly looked after by the families and the park which was nice to see.