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Nantahala National Forest
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail
Complete loop: 1 mile to 2 miles--Open to hikers only.
Attractions: The easy, figure-8, loop trails wind through a dark, enchanted forest. Majestic, 400-year-old poplars and hemlocks reach to the sky while others lay covered in mossy carpets. This 3,800-acre memorial forest, now a part of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, is dedicated as a living monument to Joyce Kilmer. A memorial plaque, near the center of the grove of huge trees, remembers the soldier and poet who was killed in action in World War I at the age of 31. Kilmer's most famous poem is "Trees": "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree...." A small picnic area and restroom are available near the trailhead parking area. Information is dispensed from the car of a knowledgeable employee who can answer questions and supply handouts from April to October.
Maps: Nantahala National Forest, Joyce Kilmer brochure.
Directions: From Robbinsville, take NC 1116 (Massey Branch Road), off NC 129, about 2 miles. At the stop sign, turn right onto NC 1127 about 10 miles to Joyce Kilmer Road. Turn left at the signs.
Snowbird Backcountry Area
Complete loop: 1.1 miles to 12.7 miles-Open to hikers only.
Attractions: This area around Snowbird Creek contains a network of over 37 miles of trails ranging from 1.1 miles to 12.7 miles in length, and from "easy" to "most difficult" in skill level. Big Snowbird watershed belonged to a lumber company in the 1920's and '30's, and a narrow gauge railroad extended up Snowbird Creek. Like many places in the national forest, this land was acquired by the Federal government only after 100 million board feet of timber was removed. Today, with time and careful forest management, the forest has regrown and the creek, once muddied with silt, runs clear and sparkling again. Big Falls and Middle Falls, 4 and 5 miles up the trail, make good destinations for day hikes. Big Snowbird Trail (64) crosses the stream seven times; during heavy rainstorms these crossings may become impassable. An alternative trail, 64-A, requires only one stream crossing to reach Middle Falls.
Maps: Snowbird Area Trail Map
Directions: From the district office, turn left onto NC 116 and go 2.4 miles to a stop sign. Turn right onto NC 1127, go 2 miles, and bear left at the fork-in-the-road onto SR 115. Go 2.1 miles to where NC 1115 turns sharply left (just past Robinson's Grocery). Make the turn and go 1 mile to a pair of bridges. At the end of the second bridge, turn right on NC 1120; it becomes FR 75 (gravel). Follow the gravel road about 6 miles to the end. The trailheads are at a former logging camp.
Tsali Trails
Attractions: The Tsali trail system of four loops winds through mixed pine and hardwood forest on a peninsula that stretches into Fontana Lake. The loops range from 6.5 miles to 11.9 miles. These trails, rated as "most difficult", are especially popular to mountain bikers. While hikers may travel the trails on any day, the bikers and equestrians are kept separated by alternating use of the trails. A schedule is posted at the trailheads. Nearby facilities include a bike washing station, a developed campground with showers and flush toilets, a boat ramp, and picnic tables.
Maps: Recreation Area brochure, Noland Creek USGS quad.
Directions: From Bryson City, take U.S. 19 S. 9 miles, turn right on NC 28 for 5.5 miles. Turn right at the sign for Tsali Recreation Area on FR 521 (gravel) for 1.5 miles.
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
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