To access Piercy Creek and other trails in Appletree follow the Hideaway Connector Trail to Sutherland Gap. The Connector Trail is described in the beginning of the Bartram Trail Hike. From Sutherland Gap continue downhill on the old road passing the Bartram Trail which splits off to the left ½ mile beyond Sutherland Gap. The Nantahala and Bartram Trail share the treadway down to Piercy Creek and beyond to Appletree. The old woods road leads down a south facing ridge, switchbacking twice to reach the valley of Piercy Creek, 1½ miles from Sutherland Gap, A beautiful grove of white pines cover this flat area that makes an ideal picnic spot. 

Members of the Nelson family recall coming down to Piercy Creek on a horse drawn wooden sled and picking blackberries in the old fields. Settlers found sleds with wood runners worked better than wheeled wagons over the rough and rocky mountain roads.

The first of two trail junctions is encountered in the valley. The first junction in on the upper end of the pine grove. Look for the wooden sign on your right marked "Laurel Creek Trail." This path leads up 1½ miles to the Appletree Group Campground or a loop with the Bertram Trail.