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Backpacking The Hangover - Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, NC

4,518 views · Published 19 October 2017 · 22:29 · Indexed 11 October 2026

Channel: Zachary Robbins · 2017 · Travel & Events

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A scattershot video from a 3-day backpacking trip in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness of Nantahala National Forest, NC. My original plan was do ~28 miles through the wilderness and wind up on Bob Bald on Monday to watch the solar eclipse, which was only a few miles from the central path of totality. Instead I made base camp at The Hangover to hang out with new friends from Tennessee and Florida and watch the eclipse from the summit. 

At the start I did both loops through Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to see some of the largest and oldest trees in the East. Then I took the Naked Ground Connector Trail (many blowdowns), the Jenkins Meadow Trail (dry, dusty, and steep), and the Haoe Lead Trail to the top of Haoe Bald. From there it was a short drop into Saddle Tree Gap and The Hangover, a rock pinnacle covered in mountain laurel with fantastic views of the Unicoi and Great Smoky Mountains. After meeting and hanging out with the TN crew (Randy, Marti, and Art), I decided to stay there, drink their free tequila, and day hike to Bob Bald instead. The next day Randy Draper and I did a casual day hike to Bob Bald on the Haoe Lead and Stratton Bald Trails, watched sunset from The Hangover, and chilled by the fire.

On Monday I got out to The Hangover at 8AM, second person there, and sat on the western rocks for 7 hours with my umbrella and chair with the TN and FL groups. On the tiny summit there were easily 50+ people and many hikers who turned around. I failed miserably at capturing the eclipse, but it didn't matter. After the eclipse ended I packed up and flew down the trail to my car. Great trip, awful traffic on the way back. It was great meeting new friends who provided me with tequila, sausage, and warm hard root beer!

Hike was 19.1 miles over 3 days.

Hike location
https://goo.gl/maps/DfwyFP5KSTQWW1Wh8

Hike report
https://www.hikingupward.com/NNF/TheHangover/

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