The Fontana Hiking Club in western North Carolina treks through trails in the southwest corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area. The club, which gained notoriety in early 2008, meets once per week at the General Store in Fontana Village and sets out on journeys throughout the year.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Fontana Hiking Club helped open the doors to hiking the west side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2008. The majority of the trails in the area take one or two days to reach by foot, or a pontoon boat could be used to navigate across Fontana Lake. Fontana Village runs a boat shuttle out of Fontana Marina, catering specifically to hikers. The trails snake through the mountains along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area
The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area is a remote section of the Nantahala National Forest and is a popular destination for the Fontana Hiking Club. The section includes a variety of hikes, including long vigorous climbs and short treks. The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area spans western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The area consists of 5,926 acres of old-growth forest, which is one of the largest such areas in the United States, particularly east of the Mississippi River.
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail is frequented by the hiking club. The trail also goes by the name the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. To navigate the 2,179-mile trail, you much start from Springer Mountain in Georgia and end on Mount Katahdin in Maine. Thirty trail clubs and other partnerships maintain the trail. Most of the trek runs through the wilderness, though portions cut through towns and roads. Only the so-called thru-hikers attempt to navigate the entire trail.
Yellow Creek Gap
The Yellow Creek Gap is a portion of the Appalachian Trail that runs through western North Carolina. The trail features the Little Tennessee River between the Yellow Creek Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. The hike is short but strenuous, crossing part of the Yellow Creeks Mountains past boulder piles, calm valleys and gusty ridge tops. The section is noted for its views.
Things to Remember
Before setting out on a hiking trip, there are a few things you should consider. Understand what type of terrain you will be hiking on. If you will be doing a lot of uphill climbs, such as in the mountains of western North Carolina, you should wear hiking shoes that protect you past your ankles, thus avoiding an ankle sprain. If your trip is for more than one day, plan ahead as to where you will camp. Take plenty of food and water, but be careful not to overpack, as that could weigh you down.
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