Cherokee National Forest Loop

**Oophaga** · 07-15-2010, 16:45

This is my first post on the forums, I have been reading quite a bit. As of now I have a Hennessy Exped Asym, and am about to do my first DIY DL hammock. Been searching for some ways to do a 3-4 day loop in cherokee but can't find anything! Was wondering if anyone had a good book suggestion or could send me the right direction to help plan this out.

Thanks!

Ryan

**wisenber** · 07-15-2010, 21:27

Originally Posted by Oophaga

This is my first post on the forums, I have been reading quite a bit. As of now I have a Hennessy Exped Asym, and am about to do my first DIY DL hammock. Been searching for some ways to do a 3-4 day loop in cherokee but can't find anything! Was wondering if anyone had a good book suggestion or could send me the right direction to help plan this out.

Thanks!

Ryan

You can go with us this weekend on the Citico/Slickrock trip.

Actually, a better way of planning is to pick an area of Cherokee NF. The southern portion has Citico, Bald River and others. The northern section is a bit trickier for loop hikes.

If you have an idea of which areas you'd want to see, I'd be happy to help or suggest which maps work best.

**slowhike** · 07-15-2010, 22:54

Welcome to HF. I can't help you w/ Cherokee NF, but just a little south of that, near the NC/GA state lines is the Standing Indian Area. The AT does a horse shoe there & there are several connector trails that make it a nice loop.

**Oophaga** · 07-16-2010, 06:16

Wisenber-

Thanks for the invite! Saddly I'm 9 hours away and class isn't over for two weeks. Although any information would be greatly appreciated. We are looking for about 25 miles give or take a few. Once again any likes or maps are awesome even. Slickrock and citico areas sound great. Most definitely up to go there.

Slowhike-

Although no this trip information on that could be great planning on going in a couple months with a friend from Atlanta.

Thanks for all the help!

**wisenber** · 07-16-2010, 08:11

Originally Posted by Oophaga

Wisenber-

Thanks for the invite! Saddly I'm 9 hours away and class isn't over for two weeks. Although any information would be greatly appreciated. We are looking for about 25 miles give or take a few. Once again any likes or maps are awesome even. Slickrock and citico areas sound great. Most definitely up to go there.

Slowhike-

Although no this trip information on that could be great planning on going in a couple months with a friend from Atlanta.

Thanks for all the help!

How easy or difficult would you like those 25 miles to be?
How remote do you want?

I use this map for that area most of the time.

**Oophaga** · 07-16-2010, 08:23

Difficult won't be a problem. As long as there is water we are good. Thanks for the link will definitely order that. And could go up to 30 miles if necessary. Thanks again for the help!

**slowhike** · 07-16-2010, 08:36

Search "Standing Indian Area" here on HF & you will find several threads were that area is discussed. If you have more specific questions, ask away.

**Oophaga** · 07-16-2010, 08:46

Forgot to mention trying to avoid crowded areas so less traveled isn't a bad thing either.

**wisenber** · 07-16-2010, 09:50

Originally Posted by Oophaga

Difficult won't be a problem. As long as there is water we are good. Thanks for the link will definitely order that. And could go up to 30 miles if necessary. Thanks again for the help!

If you get that map and the adjoining Joyce-Kilmer/Slickrock map, there are over 115 miles of marked trails. If you throw in the Bald River section as well, there are closer to 180 miles of trails.

**Oophaga** · 07-23-2010, 05:03

So looking at maps from topo! and reading all that I can find on citico is there a way to make a 30 or so mile loop using the south fork trail and the north fork? I know its possible to make a shorter loop but the maps aren't the most detailed and I have yet to get ahold of a physical map.

Thanks again