Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest Nearly 4,000 acres of publicly owned virgin forest can be found in Graham 14 County, . A rare ex- Cherohala ample of majestic old growth stand 360 15 of yellow poplar, the trees of Joyce Swan Cabin Kilmer are unique to the Appala- Horse Cove 68 Joyce Kilmer available by chian Mountains. With countless Campground 13 reservation only Memorial Forest 16 165 hiking trails meandering through 1 18 the trees, Joyce Kilmer offers a full day of fun for the entire family or Skyway TN Connecting Western North 2 19 a weekend of backpacking adven- 1127 12 20 Rattler Ford Carolina to Eastern 3 17 NC ture. Group Campground 21 9 11 Unicoi Crest Wolf Laurel 7 10 4,470 ft Road FR 81 Stewart Cabin 4 8 Santeetlah Gap Santeetlah 6 165 FR 81 2,660 ft 5 165 35 Creek Rd Santeetlah Creek 1 Hooper Cove 143 Stratton Ridge 17 4,420 ft Robbinsville 2 Shute Cove 143 16 210 & Ranger Station FR 217 143 Spirit Ridge Flying Squirrel Posts 4,950 ft 14 15 Huckleberry Knob 3 5,300 ft Mileage to Robbinsville, NC from: 13 Obadiah Mileage is approximate Mud Gap Trailhead Wright Cove 3,740 ft Asheville 96 Knoxville 75 Atlanta 160 Nashville 240 9 10 Restrooms (No Water) 4 12 Chattanooga 120 Raleigh 337 Picnic Tables Charlotte 206 Santeetlah 11 Forest Service Campground NC 5 5,390 ft Johnson City 8 Primitive Camping TN Photo Site 5,290 ft Knoxville TN 6 Wheel Chair Accessible Big Junction 7 NC 10 Mile Marker Bridge Ten Miles Descending To Graham County Skyway Asheville The last 10 miles heading east on the Skyway begins the decent into Tellico Plains Robbinsville and offers travelers a bird’s eye view of Graham County. Right Robbinsville at mile marker 10, Spirit Ridge is the perfect trail for wheelchairs and Cleveland strollers. This .3 mile paved path leads to a spectacular overlook of layers of mountain ranges. At 3,740 feet, visitors can stop off at Obadiah, and if you Graham County Travel & Tourism listen carefully, you may be able to hear Santeetlah Creek far below while Your Western North Carolina Adventure Begins Here enjoying the mountain vista offered at the scenic overlook. The Skyway 12 N. Main St. comes to a rest at 2,660 feet at Santeetlah Gap where travelers can find Robbinsville, NC 28771 information about the region. 828-479-3790 • 800-470-3790 Front page photo by killboy.com GrahamCountyTravel.com First 10 Miles Of Your Last 10 Miles Before Entering N.C. Crossing the state line, Stratton Ridge, sit-

Skyway Adventure ting at 4,420 feet above sea level offers a The vintage, , Indian Boundary Recreation Area great photo opportunity and the perfect mountain town of Tellico Plains 2,630 ft place to stretch and enjoy a picnic. Var- acts as the gateway to the Cherohala ious trailheads are scattered throughout Skyway. Beginning in the foothills of the first 10 miles of the North Carolina the Smoky Mountains and heading side including Mud Gap, Huckleberry eastbound, the first 10 miles of the Knob and Hooper Bald. A quarter-mile offer key points hike leads to Hooper Bald, near the site for travelers. From the Oosterneck Boat Ramp 14 of the old hunting preserve where many just after mile marker 5, to cruising past Caney Eagle Gap 360 exotic species, including the Russian Branch at 1,370 feet, the first 10 miles of asphalt 15 Trailhead 68 3,600 ft boar, were imported by George Moore in 1908. Just heading toward Graham County is just an Turkey Creek 13 before mile marker 7 of the North Carolina road sits introduction of the excitement ahead. 2,630 ft 16 18 165 Santeetlah, which at 5,390 feet, is just over a mile-high 1 and stands the highest overlook on the skyway. Tellico Hemlock Road 2 Miller Chapel Road 19 1127 Plains Caney Branch 12 20 East & West TN 3 1,370 ft 17 Lake View Rattlesnake Rock 9 3,360 ft Grassy Gap 21 Trailhead NC 10 11 3,400 ft 3,600 ft 4 7 8 Brushy Ridge Cherohala 5 6 165 35 3,750 ft 22 23 The Road Less Traveled 143 Oosterneck If you’re up for a challenge and have a 4-wheel drive 17 Boat Ramp River Road that can handle it, following the banks of the Tellico FR 217 Skyway River, River Road (FR210), takes you away from the FR 217 143 16 210 more traveled path of the Cherohala Skyway and into Adventuring out onto the Cherohala Skyway, you the unknown. This paved forest service road takes you 14 will be greeted by mountainous, sweep- to North River Road (FR217), where the real journey NC 15 ing curves begging to be conquered by begins. This gravel road takes sharp cutbacks as you TNmake Continuing the Skyway From Mile Marker the rather steep climb toward the North Carolina state-line. 13 motorists and cyclists alike. With im- Falls 11 Until Mile Marker 20 maculate views everywhere on all sides, Right after mile marker 16 on the Skyway sits a picnic Passing under the Cherohala Skyway at 4,300 feet, FR217 turns 9 10 whipping around the pavement becomes into FR81, or Santeetlah Creek Road, also known to the locals 12 and rest area at Turkey Creek. The overlooks have as the old Wagon Train Road. This road enters North Carolina in a treat for any traveller. Before begin- picnic tables and beautiful views from the Appala- Stratton Meadows. Named for one of the areas first inhabitants, the 11 ning your journey onto the Cherohala, chians over the Valley. The perfect Stratton family’s history is embedded along the skyway. Most noto- rious, legends say that upon his death, Absolum Stratton requested 8 be sure to gas up the car, get the kids stopping point for pictures above the clouds with to the bathroom, and pack a couple to be buried on the state-line because he loved both Tennessee and cascading mountains in the background, the North Carolina equally. His family respected his wishes and buried him 7 of snacks; this remote drive does not Cherohala Skyway continues to climb east toward with his head in Carolina and his feet in Tennessee. His grave is one of have any gas stations to stop at. Just off the many landmarks along the skyway. Descending toward Graham North Carolina. The last five miles of the Tennessee County, FR81 meanders alongside Big Santeetlah Creek, home of pris- the beginning of the Skyway on the Tennessee side side of the road features various trailheads and hik- tine trout fishing spots waiting to challenge your skills. With side roads sits the mountain tributary of the Little Tennessee ing opportunities. From Eagle Gap to East Rattle- to adventure such as Wolf Laurel Road, an area seemingly frozen in time, known as the Tellico River. Renowned for the vari- snake Rock, the last trailhead on the Tennessee side this gravel road is rich in history. The road brushes back to reality at ety of trout flourishing in the waters, the river rises Santeetlah Gap bringing you just a short drive away from Robbinsville. of the Cherohala Skyway, each stop promises to carry The Santeetlah Creek Road closes for the season from January 1 to in the westernmost mountains of N.C. adventure and intrigue. March 31.