Waterfall Hero Hikes: Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness is a 19,000-acre wilderness on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. 13,590 acres are in Nantahala National Forest and 5,656 acres are in Cherokee National Forest. The wilderness contains many miles of hiking trails, including the Slickrock Creek Trail, considered one of the most difficult trails in the United States. Adjacent to the wilderness is the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, one of the largest tracts of old growth forest in the eastern United States.

Map:

Trails:

Haoe Lead Trail (#41)

Haoe Lead Trail starts from a trailhead near Maple Springs Overlook and leads along a ridge, ending at Stratton Bald Trail.

Joyce Kilmer Loop (#43)

Joyce Kilmer Loop is a figure-8 loop through Poplar Grove passing through the old-growth forest.

Maple Springs Trail (#71)

Maple Springs Trail is an accessible trail leading to an overlook to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Points of Interest:

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest was dedicated to the poet who was killed in action in World War 1. It's an old growth forest in poplar cove, one of the few areas spared from the loggers. Joyce Kilmer Loop runs through the forest.