Someplace to go!

“Friday afternoon, June 10th thru Sunday afternoon, June 12th -- 2005.

I don't have any plans, nor do I have an itinerary yet -- but I'm hoping you have someplace you'd like to go, and just didn't have anyone to go with yet.

Deb and Jordan are going to Ireland for 10 days, and this weekend is right before they get back on Monday the 13th.

I'm thinking I'll be ready for a quick backpack trip while they are out of the country.

Anyone have a place they'd like to go hike and backpack? Give me a shout, and we will plan it this weekend.”

“KO. thinks four zuh sekert massage, dog. me vill B huppy to sea u then.

O EYE SO XSITED!!

I am svetlina.”

“TownDawg..if they are going to freakin IRELAND you should be allowed to do anything you want to do..”

“Oh, a ten day trip would be fine with them.. but I doubt my employer would allow it... ;)

So a weekend is all I can hope for. I was thinking about this on the way home.. I'm thinking maybe doing a section of the CT.. the part everyone talks about near Chattanooga?”

“do you have dates for tc5 yet?”

“I don't think TD has had a date since tc1.”

“LMBO.. nice comeback bacpac.

Cyndee: 10/15/05 would be my guess.”

“I can't go, but the rhoddies at Roan would be getting just about just right.”

“John.. I was hoping you might be able to.. since it was down close to you.. I'm still leaning toward checking this place out.

http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/rivergorge.html

”

“I'll be in Jamaica mahn.”

“PS. it's probably 2 hrs from me. I'll have to check this place out.”

“John: I'm going to go ahead and plan it. Surely someone will want to go wiff me.

* sniff sniff *”

“I would say that I'd be there with spirit, but that'd be a lie. My whole self will be on the beach.”

“Hey Towndawg, you might want to read OPIE's trip report from a few years ago about that area...it's here...

summary, nice area but better for a cool-weather hike.”

“Thanks bit.. >> ok.. I will chk it out.. maybe I should put it off till fall, and pick another place?”

“hMmm.. I think you are right.. I'll move that one to another weekend..”

“You can never tell...Last August there was a cool spell and Father Goose and did an overnighter in the Bridgestone-Firestone. It was really nice. If it's cool enough in June Prentice-Cooper might be okay.”

“Maybe I'll do a waterfall and swim hike in the Big Creek section of the smokies?”

“Never been there but I've heard it's nice.”

“Oh well.. I'll figure something out. I think my biggest problem is I'm a WINTER backpacker.. and tend to hike from September to April..

hMmm.. I did LeConte in May though.. and the weather was NICE!.. you got me spooked though on Prentice Cooper in June. It would suck to go down and try to do that and it's like 95 outside, and no shade, and no river to cool off in.”

“TD, check out Cohutta Wilderness. I might be able to make that with ya.
”

“I'd be ok with Cohutta. Never been there. Have you already got an itinerary?.. or still scoping it out?”

“still scoping it out. I would like to do a loop since I don't like to back track”

“With 95 miles of trails, the Cohutta Wilderness is a hiker's dream come true. After heavy rains, both the Jacks and Conasauga rivers can become raging torrents, virtually impossible to cross safely. Those planning a hike to the Cohutta Wilderness should watch weather forecasts carefully. Use a walking stick or staff to help cross rivers, and if water is raging, do not even try. In bad weather a trip may get extended. Be prepared for this possibility with extra food. Make sure people know the route of the hike and expected time of return. Even in low water, plan on getting wet. For example, the Conasauga River Trail between Betty Gap and FS 17 has 38 river crossings. Hiking boots will quickly become soggy foot weights. Many experienced hikers on the Conasauga and Jacks River Trails wear old tennis shoes and simply resign themselves to having wet feet. Bring dry shoes for camp.

Camping is permitted anywhere except in the trails and at trailheads. The trick is to find a spot flat enough. Fires are permitted using dead and down wood only. No permits are required. Please obey wilderness regulations posted on bulletin boards at trailheads. Horses are prohibited on certain trails. These trails are also posted on bulletin boards.”

“CONASAUGA RIVER TRAIL. [Fig. 14(14)] 13.1 miles. Marked by yellow blazes, a moderately difficult hiking trail that fords the river 38 times. Large Eastern hemlock trees are a feature of this trail, which is the roadbed of an old railroad. Bray Field is a popular, but sometimes crowded, camping area.

Directions: See Ellijay access for southeastern trailhead at Betty Gap. From the FS 68/FS 64 three-way junction, turn right onto FS 64 and travel 1.4 miles to the Conasauga River Trail sign and parking area. See Cisco Access for northwestern trailhead. At 3.2 miles, turn right onto FS 17 at the Conasauga River Trail sign. Go straight on FS 17 for 3.6 miles and turn left at FS 17-B and another Conasauga River Trail sign. FS 17-B ends shortly at the trailhead and parking area.
TEARBRITCHES TRAIL. [Fig. 14(13)] 3.2 miles. A moderately difficult to strenuous, orange-blazed trail, which climbs Bald Mountain (over 4,000 feet elevation) and then descends steeply to Bray Field—the junction for the Conasauga River and Hickory Creek trails and nearby Panther Creek Trail.

Directions: See Ellijay access. At the FS 68/FS 64 three-way intersection, turn left toward Lake Conasauga. Pass Chestnut Lead trailhead. Trailhead is 3.5 miles from intersection.
CHESTNUT LEAD TRAIL. [Fig. 14(18)] .14 mile. An easy to moderately difficult, blue-blazed trail which provides a good look at skeletons of giant chestnut trees that thrived in this forest before the chestnut blight.

Directions: See Tearbritches Trail, above. Trailhead is 2 miles past FS 68/FS 64 three-way intersection on FS 68. Parking at trailhead.
PANTHER CREEK TRAIL. [Fig. 14(12)] 3.4 miles. A moderately difficult to strenuous, blue-blazed trail, very popular and scenic, passing a high waterfall. This trail has some very rugged, rocky sections.

Directions: See East Cowpen Trail for eastern end. Trail is 2.3 miles from East Cowpen's southern trailhead. See Conasauga River Trail above for western end. Trail is 4.9 miles from Betty Gap.
HICKORY CREEK TRAIL. [Fig. 14(9)] 8.6 miles. An easy to moderately difficult, white-blazed trail, used as access to the Conasauga River, which can be reached from either trailhead. From the western trailhead, the Conasauga is a little more than 1.5 miles.

Directions: See Crandall Access (page 57) for western trailhead. Continue through the FS 630/FS 17 intersection on FS 630. The trailhead is .3 mile. See Cisco Access for northern trailhead. After crossing the Conasauga River, turn right on FS 51. Travel 4.8 miles to the trailheads of Rice Camp and East Cowpen. Hickory Creek Trail starts about 140 yards along East Cowpen Trail.
EAST COWPEN TRAIL. [Fig. 14(15)] 7 miles. This moderately difficult to strenuous trail is a good, high-elevation trail, which follows the former route of Old Highway 2, on which erosion control was done before it was closed. Though not necessarily a good destination trail, it can provide relatively quick access to other trails.

Directions: See Hickory Creek Trail, northern trailhead (above), for northern trailhead. See Ellijay Access for southern trailhead. At the three-way junction, take FS 64 right for 4.4 miles to the East Cowpen parking lot.
JACKS RIVER TRAIL. [Fig. 14(3)] 16.7 miles. This moderately difficult, orange-blazed trail is the roadbed of an old railroad. It is the longest and wettest trail in the Cohutta Wilderness, crossing the river 42 times. It is often crowded at the falls. The least-used portion of the trail is from Alaculsy to Jacks River Falls. In the middle of Horseshoe Bend are several beautiful spots to camp.

Directions: See Cisco Access for northwestern trailhead. See Blue Ridge Access for southeastern trailhead. At Watson Gap turn right on FS 22 and travel 3.6 miles to Dally Gap and Jacks River trailhead.
SUGAR COVE TRAIL. [Fig. 14(10)] 2.2 miles. A moderately difficult to strenuous, white-blazed, interior trail to Jacks River. Trail descends through a hardwood cove.

Directions: See Rough Ridge Trail. Walk 2.1 miles on Rough Ridge Trail to sign at start of Sugar Cove Trail.
PENITENTIARY BRANCH TRAIL. [Fig. 14(8)] 3.6 miles. An easy to moderately difficult interior trail with its start on Hemp Top Trail. It ends at Jacks River.

Directions: See Jacks River Trail, southeastern trailhead at Dally Gap (above). Walk 2.3 miles on Hemp Top Trail to junction with Penitentiary Branch Trail.
ROUGH RIDGE TRAIL. [Fig. 14(7)] 7 miles. A moderately difficult to strenuous, blue- or white-blazed trail, providing access to Jacks River. Ridge trail that descends to a hardwood cove and then becomes very steep and sometimes rocky as it continues to descend to the river.

Directions: See East Cowpen Trail, above. Rough Ridge Trail begins .4 mile on East Cowpen Trail starting at its southern end.
HICKORY RIDGE TRAIL. [Fig. 14(6)] 3.6 miles. A moderately difficult to strenuous, yellow-blazed, interior trail to Jacks River and Jacks River Falls.

Directions: See East Cowpen Trail, above. From East Cowpen Trail's northern trailhead, walk 2.6 miles to the junction with Hickory Ridge Trail.
BEECH BOTTOM TRAIL. [Fig. 14(2)] 4 miles. An easy to moderately difficult, heavily used, access trail to Jacks River and Jacks River Falls.

Directions: See Cisco Access. From the Jacks River trailhead, take FS 221 in Tennessee (FS 16 in Georgia) 1 mile to FS 62. Turn right and continue 4.5 miles to a parking lot at trailhead.
RICE CAMP TRAIL. [Fig. 14(5)] 3.9 miles. An easy to moderately difficult, yellow-blazed access trail to Jacks River with several stream crossings.

Directions: See Hickory Creek Trail, northern trailhead.
HEMP TOP TRAIL. [Fig. 14(4)] 6.2 miles. A moderately difficult to strenuous, white-blazed, lesser-used trail that continues into the Big Frog Wilderness in Tennessee. The trail climbs up Big Frog Mountain.

Directions: See Jacks River Trail, southeastern trailhead at Dally Gap.
Off-Road-Vehicle Trails on the Cohutta Ranger District
WINDY GAP CYCLE TRAIL. [Fig. 13(5)] 5 miles. Designed for experienced trail bikers. Take US 411 north from Chatsworth for 4 miles. Turn right (east) at the traffic light in Eton and go about 5 miles. Turn left on FS 218 (Muskrat Road) and travel 2 miles to the trailhead. The northern portion is unsuitable for three- and four-wheelers. They must use Milma Creek to Tibbs ORV Trail.

MILMA CREEK ORV TRAIL. [Fig. 13(6)] 3.4 miles. Suitable for all-terrain vehicles. Connects Windy Gap Cycle Trail and Tibbs Trail. Access is by Windy Gap Cycle Trail. See directions above.

TIBBS ORV TRAIL. [Fig. 13(7)] 5 miles. Suitable for all-terrain vehicles. Note that this trail is closed by a gate at both ends. Access through Windy Gap Cycle Trail and Milma Creek ORV Trail. See directions above.

ROCKY FLATS ORV TRAIL. [Fig. 13(5)] 5 miles. Suitable for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Trail is 3 miles east of Crandall off Mill Creek Road (FS 630) on the right.

TATUM LEAD ORV TRAIL. [Fig. 13(9)] 7 miles. Both ends of trail are on private property. Trail begins 2.5 miles south of Tatum Lead Road and GA 52 (10 miles east of Chatsworth, .95 mile past Cohutta Lodge). Cross this 2.5 miles of private property in vehicle, and park on marked portion of trail. The trail dead-ends with no outlet.

ROCK CREEK ATV LOOP TRAIL. [Fig. 13(10)] 4.7 miles. Reached from GA 52 off the Tatum Lead ORV Trail, or take FS 3 past Peeples Lake. The trail is about .25 mile south of the low water bridge on Rock Creek. Suitable for all-terrain vehicles and cycles.”

“I have a few reference books I need to read. Let's make sure we skip the "suitable for ATV use" trails.. ;)”

“for real, don't want to be run over by them.

have you been to Big Frog b4..some loops there or base camp and day hike the rest

”

“No.. both of those places would be a first time for me. I've heard they are fairly rugged, and somewhat "odd".. (you can hear the banjo's playing in the distance).

But I'm up for it if you are. We just need to get enough information to make some decisions regarding our itinerary.”

“I put a post over on the other side to see if they have much first hand knowledge. I saw the other cohutta thread you were lurking to also.”

“Jacks River Tr(JRT)/Penitentiary Branch/Hemp Top (approx 14 mi), but you should throw in a trip to the JR Falls, which adds another 3.5 round trip

East Cowpen Trail (ECT)/Rough Ridge(RRT)/JRT/Sugar Cove/RRT/ECT (approx 16 with about 2.5 mi overlap at the end)

Tear Britches/Conasauga River Trail (CRT)/Chestnut Lead/road (10 mi incl 1.5 road, but you should throw in a side trip to Panther Creek Falls- prob camp there- which adds 3 mi total)

And if you want a big weekend and see great forest and falls do this one - JRT/Rice Camp/Hickory Creek/CRT/Panther Creek/ECT/RRT/Sugar Cove/JRT (34 miles, 4 overlap, a beautiful trip with two outstanding falls and only two serious uphills)

Plus these links..

Hemp Top/Penitentiary Branch/Jack's River
http://www.foottrails.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=26&posts=1

Cowpen-Panther Creek-Conasauga Riverhttp://www.foottrails.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=25&posts=5

February in the Cohutta Wilderness
http://www.georgiahikes.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=620”

“Ewker, do you or TownDawg have a topo map yet? Do either of you have the address to order one?”

“SD - do they need to clear your attendance with the Secret Service?”

“Ok, June and hiking in the south.

Those two don't go together so let's try this, TD.

Come up here to Townsend, we will rent tubes, float Little River and shuttle back for the day ($8 less local discount), then grill some steaks on the porch, drink some tequila and howl at the moon.”

“mMmm.. I really like that plan chili.. seriously.. you might talk me into it!”

“Lets plan a trip to Hiwassee River and hike/ fish the John Muir Trail near Reliance. We can stay at the campground here:
http://www.hiwasseeoutfitters.com/whoweare.htm
You can brush up on your flyfishing skills you learned and it is the best dry flyfishing river in the south! The JMT thru here is great also. I even hiked it with a broken ankle!”

“chili seems to have a really good game plan.”

“TD, I talked to gojo this weekend and he mentioned a trip to Cohutta later on this yr. He said it is one of his favorite spots to go”

““chili seems to have a really good game plan.”
dayhiker
7:56:36 AM
4/25/05

yeah, I think the tequila was the part that gave it some zip.”

“* laughs *

Actually.. just hanging out.. grilling some steaks.. enjoying the mountains .. looking out over your backyard.. getting lazy.. doing some tubing.. sounded pretty awesome..”

“book it, dano.”

“TD=wuss”

“When the dayhiker fam goes to Cades Cove this year we'll be doing some tubing fo sho. We just need to wait on the water to get a bit warmer.”

“Yeah, it is a bit nippy right now.

It was 34 degrees in Dry Valley this morning. No snow on Rich Mtn at 3000, but from Maryville I could see it up around the 4000 foot mark along the mountain line.”

“http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/684.php

Friday afternoon, June 10th thru Sunday afternoon, June 12th -- 2005.

Twentymile Trail - Long Hungry Ridge - Gregory Bald Trail - Wolf Ridge Trail - Twentymile Trail

Distance: 15.8 miles.
Elevation Gain: 3,200 feet.

Brief trail description: This hike, highlighted by two unique and interesting Smoky Mountain balds, features a trek through a rugged and remote section of the park.


The wild azaleas will be in bloom, and the tourons will be coming in from Cades Cove. This is a great way to see what you want to see, and still enjoy an uncrowded wilderness hike.

How to get there: From Knoxville take Route 129 out of Knoxville through Maryville to Route 28 (toward Fontana Dam) to the parking lot at the Twentymile Ranger Station. From Cherokee take Route 19 to Route 74 (Bryson City) to Route 28 past Fontana Village to the lot at the Twentymile Ranger Station.

Friday night campsite: #93 (1.8 miles)
Saturday night campsite: #13 (8.9 miles)

http://www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/azaleas/new/gregoryhybrids.html”

“sounds good to me. that is an area of the park I haven't been to”

“koo.. let's commit. I'lll call the NPS on the morning of the 10th.”

“do it!!!

I will make plans to take off early that day, not sure if i can get the whole day off.

BTW, you have to come through Nashville so why don't we ride together..save money on gas.
last edited: 5/06/05 9:41:30 AM”

“works for me.. !!.. I'm not sure how early I will be able to get away.. but ya.. you are welcome to ride in my truck if you want..

I wonder if anyone else will want to come.. since it's a wildflower hike.”

“I don't have a schedule, yet, but I'll keep this trip in mind.

In June I'm planning to visit there to photograph the flame azaleas. Also, I want pictures of the beautiful. June flower tunnel on the AT just north(east) of the intersection with Snake Den Ridge Trail and I want to do the four campsites on Lake Shore Trail going east from Hazel Creek. Also, I would like to visit the three island campsites in Fontana Lake. It will be a great month, if I can do it all.
last edited: 5/06/05 9:53:34 AM”

“noooooo, just you and me and the girl :)

dang it, now nowslimmer will steal her away
last edited: 5/06/05 9:52:06 AM”