JoyceKilmerForest

This map pinpoints the location (circled in red) where an Atlanta man was found after a 12-hour search Aug. 28. Map courtesy of Tory Lynnes/Graham County Fire and Rescue

This map pinpoints the location (circled in red) where an Atlanta man was found after a 12-hour search Aug. 28. Map courtesy of Tory Lynnes/Graham County Fire and Rescue

Rugged search mission lasts 12 hours

Marshall McClung
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Deep Creek – Members of Graham County Fire and Rescue and Stecoah Fire and Rescue were involved in a 12-hour search for a lost hiker in the Deep Creek area of Graham County on Aug. 28. The Graham County 911 Center received a phone call around 5 p.m., Aug. 28 from James Clark.

Snake encounter triggers rescue mission

Marshall McClung
Friday, June 14, 2024
Slickrock – Graham County Rescue Squad members were dispatched around 8:25 p.m., Saturday, in response to a 911 call about a hiker having difficulties. A group of seven individuals – who were members of the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, from the Knoxville area – had left Big Fat Gap around 10:30 a.m.
Richard “Dick” Evans (left) was surprised by Heath Emmons with the U.S. Forest Service and the Partners of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on Monday with the Region 8 Volunteer of the Year Award. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Richard “Dick” Evans (left) was surprised by Heath Emmons with the U.S. Forest Service and the Partners of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on Monday with the Region 8 Volunteer of the Year Award. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

3rd time’s the charm

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 6, 2024
There are roughly 3,800 acres of land inside the borders of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Chances are, Dick Evans knows every inch of them like the back of his hand. A volunteer with the U.S.

Remains found during search

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 25, 2023
Deep Creek – While conducting what was purportedly the final search for a missing Missouri man Friday, Graham County authorities came across a grizzly scene. Local agencies had combined their efforts to try and locate Donald Storey, 88 of Springfield, Mo.
Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Weather braved to rescue hiker

Marshall McClung
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Santeetlah – Graham County Rescue Squad members Tory Lynnes and Brent Eller faced some extreme weather in the high mountains of Graham County between the late-night hours of Jan. 24-25, to reach a hiker in the Joyce Kilmer Forest. Graham County 911 received a call from a mother around 6:45 p.m.
This newly-rebuilt section allowed the full Lower Loop Trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to reopen Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This newly-rebuilt section allowed the full Lower Loop Trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to reopen Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Repair allows Joyce Kilmer trail to reopen

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Santeetlah – Volunteers formally reopened a section of trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest on Saturday, which had been closed several years because of storm damage.

More lost hikers found

Marshall McClung
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Cheoah – Holidays are usually busy times for rescue personnel. This Labor Day weekend was no exception. Graham County 911 dispatchers received a cell phone call shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, from a couple in the Joyce Kilmer Forest, stating that they were lost.

Hikers take wrong turn

Marshall McClung
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Yellow Creek – Hikers from Cary – on a trip through the Slickrock section of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness area – ran into problems late in the afternoon of Tuesday, June 9.