Big Frog Wilderness/Cohutta Wilderness

“These two areas seem to get very little attention. Anyone been to either place before.
BTW the areas border Southeastern Tenn and Northern Georgia.”

“I haven't, but know of a few folks that have. It's supposed to be pretty nice. Is this the same range that turns into Joyce Kilmer and then the Smokies?”

“dayhiker, I believe it is. These areas are south of the Ocoee River. You get to the Big Frog Wilderness off Hwy 64.

I didn't hike it this weekend but I drove down to check out the John Muir Trail. It starts in Reliance and ends at hwy 68 near Farner. The first 4 miles is flat hiking and some road hiking along the Hiwassee River. Then when you get to the powerhouse the trail goes along the river's edge for approx 14-16 miles. You would have to do a shuttle (long one to) to do this trail.”

“Joyce Kilmer is on my to-do list too.”

“Ewker, this is a beautimus area. I have never backpacked there, but have hiked/camped.”

“embear - nice carcamping? This might be a good possibility for family camping. It takes us 4.5 to 5 hrs to get to Cades Cove with the kids. 4 - 4.5 w/o ;) This place might be only about 3 hrs away.”

“embear, did you stay at one of the 2 campgrounds for Big Frog”

“I cant remember the name of the campground I stayed at, but it was a Corps of Engineers cg and you had to take a gravel road 20 miles up a mountain to get there. I believe it was on the Northern GA side. It was really beautiful, but took forever to get up that gravel road.”

“I dont think it was quite in the Big Frog area.”

“I found a trail map of the area
http://sherpaguides.com/georgia/mountains/blue_ridge/western/map_big_frog_wilderness.html
last edited: 2/08/05 10:07:31 AM”

“OK I remember.....Lake Conasagua recreation area. Awesome campground - little lake you can canoe/kayak on. I would recommend it for your family DH.”

“Thanks, I'll look into it. It seems like Ocoee is about 3 hrs from here.”

“Here is some info on Big Frog.

http://www.sherpaguides.com/georgia/mountains/blue_ridge/western/big_frog_wilderness.html”

“deja vu embear..lol”

“OK, sorry. :)

It is still too early for me..........”

“Too early, heck I've been at work 6 1/2 hrs so far.”

“dayhiker, have you been to the Citico Creek Wilderness. It is suppose to be one of those places you never see anyone. I have heard that so few people go there the trails are hard to follow.
Backpacker magazine a few yrs ago did a nice article on it.

BTW Citico Creek is right below Joyce-Kilmer. Some of the trails go between the two areas”

“Ewk....ill go with you if you want to do a trip in the kilmer/slickrock creek area...there are some falls i would like some shots of.”

“I would like to go to those areas. I just have to work out a time to go.”

“Falls, Photography, now your talkin”

“I haven't. I've seen a guidebook for both areas though. I like those off the beaten path type of places.”

“I've looked into going to the Cohutta area sometime.”

“Visited there last spring:

thread:
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/30665,-1.php

photos:
http://community.webshots.com/album/140138531jKTQdV”

“sounds like a trip in the making. I bet walkindude has been there b4.”

“Very nice photos lizs.”

“Ewker, when are you thinking of going.”

“i dayhiked on Big Frog 2 falls ago. but dang it if i remember which trail i was on.

it was pretty, though!”

“Yam, did you go with Walter? LOL!”

“Yamster's still alive! ;-)”

“nope, not walt, i went w/ muppetman. : )

hey tangerino!! i miiiiisssss you!”

“Pick out a pretty trail for us in ME.”

“i definately will. and we'll get ol' artex out, too. : )”

“Matt, I don't know yet. I was just trying to see who knew what about this area.”

“I can't believe it's only 2/8/05 and I already have each trip for the year planned. This would be a good one to slide in.”

“Nice pix, Liz.
Very nice...


The Conasauga River is among the world's most pristene. It's watershed is entirely within the wilderness, which has been designated so since the 1930s. The trout fishing is unsurpassed in the Peach State.

The wilderni combine to compose the largest NFS wilderness in the east.

The Benton McKaye Trail passes through from it's beginning atop Springer Mountain. It will someday reach the Pinhoti Trail at the AL border - forming an extension of the AT deep into Alabam...

I've lost count of my excersions into Cohutta.

Three words:
Just do it.”

“Ewker, I\'m interested in hiking in this area. I was going to wait until the trees started putting on there leaves. But I can make an extra trip if you decide to make it a group thing. I\'m starting on the Fl beaches this week all 2000 miles, Well the 5 that don\'t condo\'s.”

“Ewk I got the guidebooks and maps for that area...heck ill just start at a trailhead and go towards the falls...make a loop of it if you got the time. Whatever”

“hey gojo, long time no see on here.”

“2socks, I have your email address I will be in touch if that is ok”

“anytime brother”

“2socks, I spoke to soon. I was looking to make sure I had it. I think I deleted it by accident. shoot me a email so I can make sure I save it this time”

“Although I haven't backpacked the Cohutta Wildnerness in several years, I've hiked about half of the trails and it is very nice. However, being close to Atlanta and Chattanooga it can be crowded at times. The Conasauga River Trail and the Jacks River Trail have numerous crossings and both trails can be difficult during high water.

Big Frog Wilderness is also very nice and not as crowded as the Cohutta. The Benton McKaye is currently being extended from Big Frog Wilderness through the Southern District of the Cherokee National Forest to the AT at Fontana Dam on the edge of the GSMNP. When finished you will be able to start on Springer Mountain hike the AT or Benton McKaye to the Smoky's and then loop back to Springer Mountain.

I agree "just do it."”

“Thanks for all the info on this thread. I live 90 minutes from Chattanooga, and it's not far from this area. I can't believe I've never been there and explored the area. Maybe it's time to do that!”

“Now that would be a nice loop. 2 weeks maybe?”

“Thanks for the comments on pics. It was an exquisite place: steep, long hills that cripple knees... good company... stinky dogs...

In other words, I'd do it again in a second! LOL!”

“if anyone wants maps for The Big Frog Wilderness/Cohutta Wilderness you can get it here for $ 5.00. http://www.ganationalforests.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

The also have a 2 map set of the AT thru Ga and NC for $ 11.95.
This 2 map set covers the southern part of the Appalachian Trail that passes through Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. Printed at a scale of 1 inch to the mile, these maps show topography, include elevation profiles, and an index of 7.5 minute quad sheets. These are the official maps published by the Appalachian Trail Conference

The Big Frog/Cohutta map shows the contour lines, and the names and locations of
roads, rivers, creeks, branches, mountains, gaps and other features in the
area. The Cohutta and Big Frog Wilderness Map measures about 24" wide by
32" high and is printed on a plastic-type surface that is waterproofed. The
map scale is 1:31,680 or 1"= 1/2 mile. It also has a declination diagram if
you plan to do some compass work while in the wilderness.”

“The Hutta is verry good woods. I am a verry good swimmer and swimmed verry much at Jaks and Connie Soks rivvers - even warin my pakpak!

Kno what? My hubsand Gissmaeioux swimmed ther to! Ever buddy sayed "yay Gissmaeioux - you are the verry good swimmer!"

Once and once a time I sayed "OH MY GOODIES GISSMAEIOUX - WHER IS YER PAKPAK?!" cuz he did not have on his pakpak no more. He sayed I was kiddin and aksed my daddy and my daddy sayed "OH MY GOODIES!" to.

Kno what? His pakpak was in the woods wher we wacked bushes and it got stuk on a lim and Gissmaeioux keept on walkin and did not kno it got off.

The Hutta is GOOOOOOOOOOD TIMES!”

“Ewker, Are you taking your new woman friend? Why dont you come back to Townsend area. I'm not working and I have done some hiking since I have been here. I even have more speed under my feet now! LOL”

“gojo - do you think your sea legs trip will happen?”

“dh -
Absolutely!
When? Dunno...

The yak is not complete - not even the hull.
I could put a rush on it, and be ready come spring... late spring.”