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Cohutta Overnight Hikes
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"It is one of the blessings of wilderness life that it shows how few
things we need in order to be perfectly happy."-Horace Kephart
JACKS RIVER TRAIL - Length: 16.5 Miles one way
CONASAUGA RIVER TRAIL - Length: 13 Miles one way
(Many intersecting trails terminate along the river for both trails)
These are excellent hot weather hikes due to the 42 river fords accross the Jacks River and 38 river fords accross the Conasauga River. Standard hiking boots are probably not the best choice of footwear on these wet hikes. A good amphibious shoe with traction and hiking sticks or poles are recommended. These trails are also not recommended after heavy rains. The current can be high and the water can be swift. Keep your stuff dry by packing it in waterproof bags or large trash bags inside your pack. These trails have vehicular access at both ends. The trailheads to access these fairly level trails are: Jacks River Trail-Dally Gap at FS 22, accessed from Hwy 5 north of Blue Ridge, and Alaculsy Valley at FS 16/221 from Hwy 411 north of Chatsworth. Conasauga River-Betty's Gap at FS 64, accessed from Hwy 52 out of Ellijay, and FS 17, accessed from Cisco, Ga, on Hwy 411.
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Jacks River Loop
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Length: 13 miles round trip
This moderate hike is a good sampler of what the Cohutta Wilderness has to offer. The hike features river hiking with many river crossings, and forest hiking as the trail climbs out of the river valley. These trails form a conveniant loop with great, riverside camping halfway through. The hike begins at the Jacks River Trail southeastern trailhead at Dally Gap. The trailhead is best accessed by Hwy 5 north of Blue Ridge to Old Hwy 2. This road leads to Watson Gap. Turning right onto FS 22 at Watson Gap leads to Dally Gap. Soon into the hike, the Benton MacKaye Trail intersects from the right, briefly shares the path, then branches off th the left. The trail then leads to the first of many river crossings at mile 2.3. As the hike progresses downstream, the river becomes more deep and swift. Use caution, especially after rain has fallen or if rain is in the forcast (see abvove information regarding Jacks River Trail). Jacks River Trail intersects with the Penitentiary Branch Trail at mile 7.1. Nice campsites can be found here. Penitentiary Branch Trail climbs 3.6 miles to its intersection with the Hemp Top Trail. Turning right onto the Hemp Top trails leads back to the trailhead at Dally Gap in 2.3 miles, completing the loop.
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Panther Creek Falls Loop
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Length: 13.2 miles round trip
This is a moderate to strenuous trail that traverses some of the most unique topography in the area. This loop description starts from the Hickory Creek Trailhead that is best accessed from Cisco, Ga, on Hwy 411. The Hickory Creek Trail will cross Conasauga River and intersect the Conasauga River Trail after 4.6 miles of hiking. After fording the river and continuing south on the Conasauga River Trail for about .5 mile, it will intersect with the Panther Creek Trail. After turning East (left) on to the Panther Creek Trail, you will encounter beautiful Panther Creek, an old growth forest, an amazing climb up a huge boulder field to the top of Panther Creek falls with a stunning view. The falls are about halfway through the 3.4 mile trail that will intersect with the East Cowpen Trail. Turn North (left again) on the East Cowpen Trail and the last approximately 4.7 miles is a fairly easy hike back to the beginning of the loop.
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Tearbritches Trail
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Length: 3.4 miles one way
This is a moderate trail, leading steeply down to its end at the Conasauga River, becoming strenuous on the return up. The trail length may suggest this is a day hike, but due to the rugged terrain and large trail intersection at its end leading in four directions, a backpack trip seems more appropriate with many options for a final destination. The trailhead, near Bald Mountain and a large group camping area, is best accessed by Hwy 52 west of Ellijay to Gates Chapel Rd. Turning onto FS 90 to FS 68 climbing to top of Potatopatch Mountain, turning left and continuing to the trailhead on the right. The hike begins with a short uphill to summit Bald Mountain, less than one half mile. An unusual site here is non-native spruce, which have been mysteriously planted, and seem to thrive. Also of interest regarding Bald Mountain, is its name that is derived from its usage as a ball field by the Cherokee, and it is the westernmost peak above 4,000 feet in the Eastern United States. From this point the trail descends steeply to its end at Bray Field and the Conasauga River at mile 3.4. This, in addition to being a large camping area, is a major trail intersection. The Conasauga River Trail, also the Hickory Creek Trail at this point, leads left 1.3 miles without a river crossing, to Hickory Creek Trail's departure left. The Conasauga River Trail then begins a series of river crossings to its end in 6.4 more miles. From Bray Field leading right, the Conasauga River Trail goes one half mile to the Panther Creek Trail intersection, then another 4.9 miles with many river crossings, to its end at Bettys Gap. The Panther Creek Trail crosses Conasauga River once, then climbs strenuously 1.4 miles to the top of Panther Creek Falls. Panther Creek Trail then continues to climb another two miles to its end at East Cowpen Trail in the middle of the wilderness. Back at Bray Field, the Hickory Creek Trail crosses the river once, and continues to its end in 5.7 miles.
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Hemp Top Trail (Benton MacKaye) to Big Frog Mtn
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Length: 6.7 miles one way
See BMT to Big Frog Mountain Trail description in AT/BMT hikes section.
FOR COMPLETE TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS, GUIDE BOOKS, AND MAPS PLEASE STOP BY THE SHOP!
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