This was our “beginners” backpack for 2005. Starting at Big Fat Gap parking area, we  followed the Big Fat Branch trail to the Slickrock Creek trail. After a side trip up Slickrock Creek (without packs), we retraced our steps and continued downstream along the Slickrock Creek trail, to a campsite just downstream from Wildcat Falls. Some of us went swimming in the big pool below Lower Falls on on Sunday. Numerous creek crossings were necessary. We completed the hike by following Slickrock Creek/Calderwood Lake to the parking area near the Cheoah Dam on US 129.