Slickrock Creek Trail #42

The Slickrock Creek Trail is the longest single trail in the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness area.  Starting   at an elevation of 1160 feet at the Slickrock Trailhead and reaching  4860 feet at the Naked Ground termination, this trail has at least 12 fords, which can vary from easy to very challenging.  Hikers are advised to consider weather conditions and rainfall before attempting this trail due to the numerous creek crossings.  This trail has been rated as one of the ten toughest trails in the United States.

The trailhead is located just off US Route 129 at the Cheaoh bridge and dam, north of Robbinsville.  There is limited parking in this area.  At the 0.5 miles, the Ike Branch Trail branches off to the left and continues steeply uphill.  The Slickrock Creek Trail continues relatively flat around the head of Slickrock Creek, past a boating access point to Lower Falls, then to the second junction with the Ike Branch Trail at mile 3.7.  The trail continues to its junction with the Stiffknee Trail at mile 4.3, and the Nichols Cove Trail at mile  4.5, with several stream crossings along its course.  From the Nichols Cove Trail junction, the trail continues along the creek, past Wildcat Falls, with several more creek crossings for another 2.8 miles to the junction with the Big Stack Gap Branch Trail at mile  7.3, and then to the junction with Big Fat Trail at mile  8.0.  After this  point, the trail continues to generally follow the creek, but without major crossings for another 2 miles, where the trail tarts a steep uphill climb, ultimately reaching the Naked Ground Trail junction at mile  13.2.

Trail Length: 13.2 Miles

Difficulty: Strenuous

Usage: Light

Average Hiking Times: Southbound-10 Hours.  Northbound – 9 Hours.