homepage - outings - national - brochure - 13071a

The Trip

This lodge-based service trip will focus on the Slickrock Wilderness and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, located within the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. A steep, 5,300-foot ridge covered by 14,500 acres of mixed hardwood forest divides the Slickrock Wilderness and Joyce Kilmer Forest. Throughout this area, "Balds," or breaks in the forest, provide spectacular views of both Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

We should see many wildflowers and few people on the trails at this time of year. On your day off there will be time for fishing, cycling, birding, photography, more hiking and whitewater activities. A favorite off-day hike is the Twentymile Trail up to the Shuckstack Fire Tower -- though no worries, it’s only 10 miles.

The Project

Supervised by U.S. Forest Service personnel, we will develop, maintain, and enhance trails. Work may involve digging and widening the trail, installing log waterbars, removing deadfall, and trimming trailside vegetation. As of this writing, the exact projects we will be working on are not known. In years past, our group has reconstructed a half-mile trail at the Snowbird picnic area; repaired trails in the Joyce Kilmer Forest; and repaired and recut a 2.5-mile section of the Appalachian Trail. One of our tasks last year was to clear and repair the interpretive Cable Cove Trail near Lake Fontana.

NOTE: The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the group.

Itinerary

Arrival is on Sunday in time to unpack and have dinner and have an introductory meeting. Our group will have breakfast together daily and then head out (with volunteer drivers) to our worksite. One day will be free to do as you wish. We hope to have evening programs that include a conversation with a ranger, a talk by a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee tribe, and some good local mountain music. The trip ends after breakfast on Saturday.

Getting There

Fontana Village Resort is located in western North Carolina, 20 miles north of Robbinsville on Highway 28. Transportation to the Resort will be on your own. Nearby airports include: Knoxville (65 miles) and Chattanooga (132 miles), Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia (190 miles); and Asheville, North Carolina (95 miles). Driving directions will be provided to registered participants. An email will be sent to all participants to see if folks want to coordinate transportation.

Accommodations and Food

We'll be staying at Fontana Village Resort whose original lodgings were built in the late 1930s to house the Fontana Dam construction workers. Beautifully situated among the lush mountains of the Nantahala National Forest, the Lodge rooms have baths, air conditioning and a few other amenities.

Trip Difficulty

The trip can be considered moderate, with some strenuous work activities. No one is expected to exceed his/her capabilities. Participants could be asked by the Forest Service to sign an additional liability waiver for activities undertaken during the outing. Having bed and board prepared for us lessens our workload, and allows much more time for other activities.

Equipment and Clothing

Temperatures may be cool in the evenings, but warm during the day; expect a range of 50-80 degrees. There has been known to be snow. The average rainfall here is 80 inches per year, so be prepared and bring good rain gear. A rain suit is far superior to a poncho, especially on windy days. You will need leather gloves to protect your hands. Sturdy shoes or boots should be well broken-in and thoroughly waterproofed. You'll need a day pack for your lunch, a water bottle or two, etc. You may want to bring a camera, binoculars, scope for birding, fishing equipment (license required), bicycle, or watercraft. If you have favorite tools (pruners, loppers, bowsaw), you may wish to bring them. A gear list will be sent to registered participants.

References

• Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest: http://www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/joycekil.html
• Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest: www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/rangerhq.html
• Western NC attractions, hikes, etc: www.grahamstar.com/articles/2009/08/14/outdoors/doc4a3004d0b4d19940817856.txt
• www.westernncattractions.com/
• Nantahala Outdoor Center: www.noc.com

Conservation

We will discuss the life of the forests, especially with the devastating decline of the hemlocks and pines and the effects of neighboring coal mines.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Leader:

Rebecca Dameron grew up in North Carolina and went to summer camp in the beautiful NC mountains. She has been a Sierra Club leader for four years and a S.C. member since the '80s. Rebecca enjoys service trips both for the hard work and knowing that the benefits continue long past the work. She is thrilled to be leading this trip so well led by Jeanne Downing for 10 years and started by Viv and Otto Spielbichler when it was a camping service trip. If only she could add kayaking to the mix.

E-mail: becdameron@cox.net

Assistant Leader:

Cindy Madden lives in Raleigh, North Carolina and works in Research Triangle Park. She is an enthusiastic hiker who also enjoys paddling. Her passion is helping to preserve beautiful places for all to enjoy. Cindy especially likes working with children and introducing them to the natural world. She has traveled the U.S. and internationally -- but always returns to the beauty of the North Carolina mountains.

E-mail: cindymadden92@gmail.com

---

General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners