Joyce Kilmer/Citico Creek Wilderness (sequel)

For those who've done this hike before, MikeP and I decided to take a slightly different route this year from our previous spring trips to Joyce Kilmer Wilderness. Due to the long drive, we're sticking with the first part of the hike, where we drive to Beech Gap and hike up to Bob Stratton Bald, and also after hiking down into the SlickRock Creek valley, set up camp for two nights, but on Sunday, we'll go straight up Slickrock Creek trail to Naked Ground.

This hike is for very fit and experienced backpackers, since there is a 13,223 elevation change in approximately 21 miles. But it's also for people who love to be in the wilderness. It's not all about fitness, it's about what we can do once we're fit. 

We'll hike 3.5 miles to camp our first night on top of Bob Stratton Bald. This is a spectacular mountain vista high above the valleys with awesome views. 

The 2nd day we'll hike down into the Slickrock Valley, with a short detour to have lunch on top of Hangover. Total distance will be about 7 miles, but we'll descend about 3500'! Over 10 yrs ago, I wrote the following description of this valley. Thanks to Kristi for forwarding this to me.

"Come join us in the valley of the giant toads and fat bats.  We camp beside gentle rapids a short distance from Wildcat Falls. In a November trip I watched a small Black Bear walk across the top of the falls and disappear quietly into the forest. During the day, you can swim, hike, read, or do just about anything you want to do.  Once we set up camp, we’ll stay there until it’s time to go back to the city. At night, for the more brave hearted, you can venture from the security of the campfire and look at the glowing worms or sit beside the giant croaking toads.  Also, if you walk down to the top of the waterfalls and look up at the sky at twilight, you can watch the fat bats doing their best on bug control. Don’t worry, no vampire bats here!"

The 3rd day, we're not breaking camp. Leaving Slickrock is hard to do, since it's such a beautiful valley. I can bring the group to Lower Falls as one option. But this will be completely up to you. So if you want to stay near camp, that's fine with me. If you want to explore a different area near our base, we can discuss it the night before at camp. This is a wild and scenic valley so I don't recommend hiking alone, even though I have many times...still, since it's for experienced backpackers only, I'm trusting you in advance to be able to handle yourself in the wilderness.

If the group decides to hike along Slickrock river on Saturday, water shoes will help the many river crossings. I plan on bringing a pair, because I love walking along Slickrock creek. There are typically two river crossings too deep to cross without getting your boots wet, before getting to camp on the 2nd day as well.

The 4th day (Sunday) we'll hike up the Slickrock Creek trail gaining back all that elevation real quick on the north face of Naked Ground. The first 2.5 miles are relatively easy, but the next 3 miles go up almost 3k' and there were parts where it was so steep we dug in with our hands, feeling more like a climb than a hike. The views near the top and just north of Naked Ground are beautiful looking down over the valley below. Then a more gentle push to Stratton Bald, and then back down to the cars. The mileage on Sunday is only about 10 miles, but it's the elevation change that gets you. Since this will be a tough long hike, we plan on getting an early start Sunday morning. We can eat lunch at the top of Slickrock creek trail, near Naked Ground, or wait until Bob Stratton Bald if that works better based on our pace and energy level's.

If you haven't done D6 backpacking trips with us, I will need a way to find out your fitness level and your experience. This will not be a race, from my point of view, but to avoid injury or lack of time spent near each of our base camps, it's mandatory, that you are experienced in mountain backpacking. Thanks for your cooperation in advance.

We will allow a maximum of 10 people, but you will remain on the wait list until we clear your fitness and backpacking experience level. The list will be done first come, first serve, but you'll only have a short time to contact the trip leaders of your capabilities before you're skipped. It's not complicated, just be prepared ahead of time, and you'll be fine.

We will allow a maximum of 2 well behaved dogs, who are experienced in backpacking as well. This is not the trip to test your dog on mileage or sleeping in tents.

Both of those pictures were taken from Hangover Knob on previous backpacking trips.

If you would like to read an article I wrote several years ago, which is not exact, but it does describe the hike down Slickrock creek, and the hike up the face of Naked Ground, here you go:

https://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/event/archivedetails.asp?eventid=3780

So, if you read that, you now know that there are yellow jackets. In June, they won't be as bad as they are in Sept. If you're allergic, bring an epi-pen, and let us know. There are ways to limit getting attacked, but none of them are guarantee's. It's an unfortunate side effect of being in that beautiful country...

Michael Johnson

Will be distributed at the Park and Ride