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Slickrock Creek

East TN/West NC, from Knoxville take Alcoa Hwy/ HWY 129, stay on 129 ALL the way, this includes a turn outside of Maryville to the left...just make sure to follow the signs so you don't continue on 411, the trail head is on 129 in NC just across Cheoah Lake at the Cheoah Dam, there is a sign, the trailhead is on the right just across the bridge, it's a LONG way down 129, just before Robbinsville, NC

Don't be dismayed by the length of this trail, because there are several shorter circuits that can be hiked within the area from this trail. Also, the trail itself is actually longer than 8 miles, but it's at mile 8 where it pretty much leaves the river. The river has a lot of nice swimming holes, and there are also a couple of waterfalls. Lower falls is small but nice, and it's about 3 miles down the trail. Wildcat falls is bigger, and it's reached at about 7 miles in. One major point about this trail is that it crosses the river about 14 times (I think...I eventually lost count...) before heading up to Naked Ground (the final crossing is at mile 8). This is a lot of fun if you like this sort of thing, but you will get REALLY wet on this trail! It slows you down quite a bit, even if you're like me and you don't take off your boots for a river crossing, so plan on extra hiking time. The water is pretty deep in most places, so it's not practical to expect to rock hop across the crossings. Also, if it's cold or there has been a big rain, this trail can pose a lot of problems. In the heat and dryness of the southern summers, though, this trail can be popular but still a whole lot of fun. The river and, subsequently, the trail, are the TN/NC state line, so it's also kind of neat to see the state markers every once in a while on the river. Be forewarned about continuing to Naked Ground from this trail: it is VERY steep, and VERY hard. I would instead suggest a circuit around Nichols Cove, Yellowhammer Gap and Ike Branch.

North Fork Citico

SE TN, HWY 68 from Sweetwater & I-75 south to Tellico Plains, HWY 165 to Indian Boundary lake, left to lake, continue to Citico, trailhead on right at trail 105 sign

I just kind of like this trail. It's about 5 and a half miles, but it is entirely an interior trail, so you have to hike just over half a mile on the South Fork Citico trail just to get to it (take the left fork just past the old stone building after entering the wilderness, and cross the bridge), and when you reach the end...if you reach the end, you're still just intersecting the Fodderstack trail. But it's nice because it meanders along the north fork of Citico Creek, and there are a lot of nice pools and camp spots, and there aren't many people on the trail. There is a lot of evidence of the old logging railroad on this trail, which is kinda neat seeing the history of the wilderness occasionally snaking out from under a rock or half covered with decades of undisturbed leaves. I would just recommend this trail as an easy backpacking trip...it's just relaxing. Of course, you can also use it as a good circuit down South Fork, Fodderstack, or Brush Mountain...just take a peek at your map.

South Fork Citico

SE TN, same trailhead as North Fork Citico

I haven't hiked this whole trail, but I have hiked the entire 5.5 miles that run mostly beside the river. The entire trail is 8 miles one way, but it pretty much leaves the river at about 5.5 miles in. This makes it an 11 mile river hike. This trail is nice because it also just meanders along the river. It crosses the river a few times, but it's not too deep, so it's usually not a problem. About 3.5 miles down the trail, it cuts away from the creek and heads uphill into a lot of briars...no big deal, though. When it meets back with the creek about a mile later, the creek is quite a bit smaller, and more like a stream. But it's still a pleasant walk, and you can use the trail to circuit around Jeffrey Hell or Grassy Branch. I did both one 98 degree summer day...that was a BAD idea!

Bald River

SE TN, HWY 68 south from Sweetwater & I-75, HWY 165 in Tellico Plains (follow signs to Cherokee National Forest), fork right onto Tellico River Rd (follow the signs to Bald River Falls), you'll know it when you see the falls on your right, park across bridge

This, for some reason is one of my favorite river trails. Of course, there is probably a very good reason for it, and you can read about it if you want. Anyway, you can enjoy Bald River Falls at the head of the trail, and then head up to the top along the trail. You'll come to a picnic area at the top, and then the trail (I promise) is at the back of the picnic area and a little up the ridge. The trail is about 5.5 miles long, and it ends at the Holly Flats campground, which, I might add, is in the middle of nowhere. The river is pretty big along the length of the trail, and most of the time is spent meandering along the water. Don't miss a nice rock outcrop to the right after you climb to the top of the first mountain. It is the first time you leave the river...it's a nice view of the ridges. There is a good camping spot at a small cave about a mile in. There is a fork about 2 miles in, the left of which goes back to the road about a mile from the trailhead, the right continues along the river. This is just a pleasant, usually abandoned trail. It is a really nice hike, and maybe my story has done it more justice.

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