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The Joyce Kilmer National Recreation
Trail is an easy 2-mile hike through the forest along two loops: the 1.25-mile
lower loop and the .75-mile upper loop through the Poplar Cove, a rich,
fertile grove where the largest trees are in the forest. The two loops
converge at the Joyce Kilmer Memorial a large boulder with a plaque to
the fallen soldier-poet. In spring, before the canopy filters out the
sunlight, wildflowers are abundant along the pathways. While the trail
is only 2 miles in length, the walk takes much longer than average because
there is so much to see along the way.
The trail network within the entire
Slickrock Wilderness Area offers more than 60 miles of trails carefully
laid out to allow access to the many topographic regions within the wilderness,
such as rock outcrops; rich, moist coves; virgin and old- growth forests;
boulder-strewn creeks; and grass and heath balds. The trails also were
designed to interconnect and, therefore, allow extended hikes through
the wilderness. Because this is a wilderness area, with the exception
of the paths at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, the trails are primitive,
rugged, and virtually unmarked. Some are easy to follow or are used enough
to make the pathway obvious. Others, however, are more difficult, and
like any wilderness experience, they require a topographic map and compass.
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| Directions: |
To Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest: take US 129
north approximately 1 mile past Robbinsville. Turn left onto NC 143
west (marked with a sign for Joyce Kilmer). After approximately 3.5
miles, turn left onto SR 1127 and continue for approximately 9 miles.
The entrance is well marked on the left. To access the wilderness's
southern perimeter, start at the Cheoah Ranger Station and turn left
onto SR 1116. Travel 2.4 miles and turn right onto SR 1127. Continue
for 6.9 miles to an unmarked road; turn left and then turn immediately
right onto FR 81 (gravel road). Travel 6.8 miles to FR 81F and turn
right at the forest service sign. Wolf Laurel Hunter Camp is ahead 4.4
miles on the left, and the parking area, signboard, and trailhead for
Wolf Laurel Trail another .5 mile. To enter the northern portion of
the wilderness, travel on US 129 for 5.6 miles north of where it intersects
Old US 129. At a bridge across the Cheoah River, turn left onto a narrow,
gravel road, FR 62. Continue for 7.2 miles to a parking area and the
trailhead for Big Fat Gap Trail.
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| Facilities: |
Parking, picnic tables and grills, restrooms,
water.
Primitive camping sites are abundant throughout
the wilderness area, and U.S. forest campgrounds are near the boundary.
In addition, the U.S. Forest Service Horse Cove Campground Area offers
17 units adjacent to the rushing mountain stream, Little Santeetlah
Creek. The campground is located directly across from the entrance to
Joyce Kilmer picnic area. Fishing is popular along and in the Little
Santeetlah Creek and Slickrock Creek, as well as at nearby Santeetlah
Lake.
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