New to Georgia

“Hi everyone. I'm new to Georgia...a L.A. transport, hence the name Dodger. Anyway, I've been look at maps of the southeast as well as reading TT and other sites about the area. I'm planning a trip with some grad school buddies for around May. Anyone with good ideas? Right now I'm looking at either Standing Indian area or the Cohutta Wilderness. I hear Cohutta can get potentially dangerous depending on the weather...any recomendations as far as when to go? Jack's and Panther Creek trails sound beautiful but I'm not interested in getting stuck out in the middle of nowhere because of a raging river. So if anyone's got any ideas about April/May I'd appreciate it. Thanks”

“Those are both nice areas. Standing Indian is still on my to-do list.

I have done a few trails through Cohutta. Panther Creek is a favorite, though it's pretty steep in the vicinity of the Falls. I misread a map the first time there and thought the elevation gain by the Falls was 400 ft... and it was 800, VBG. It was entirely worth it though, nice views and campsites after climbing that last bit.

We had some waist-deep wading to do to cross the Conasauga to get out of there on another trip, but that was after it had rained for two days. I haven't done Jack's River, but I seem to recall that there are many crossings as you go along... like 40(?)


Oh -- and Welcome to Trail Talk.

Don't mind the crazies.”

“I must be thinking of another panther creek in georgia, but the one we did was a fairly easy trail except for the goat trail down to the base of the falls. Excellent hike, beautiful river and impressive falls. Just be careful of one spot where the trail goes straight up about 10 wall after an immediate left turn. If you keep going straight you will find yourself bushwacking some tough spots along the bottom of the gorge.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hyway9/album?.dir=e0f2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hyway9/my_photos”

“Its kinda a how far do you want to hike, and where. I love anything north of I-85 after about May (heat and bugs are the concern). Depending on where you are in Gawga you can go to TN, NC, SC its all good.”

“XL - I've been thinking 4 nights ~30 miles. Any trips you've done in that time frame you care to share? I don't mind driving a little ways.
last edited: 3/30/07 10:51:49 AM”

“Standing Indian would fit that bill. You can make a loop of about that distance.

There are lots of options in the Smokies.

You can drive 2 hrs east to the Alabama Pinhoti trail. It's about 120 miles.

You can drive about 2 hrs north and hit the AT or Benton Mackaye (sp?)

There are tons of options for you.”

“Where do you live in Georgia? If you live in the Atlanta vacinity then there are tons of places in TN and NC that you can get to in four hours or less. They will be much cooler in May because of the elevation gain.”

“A large portion of Jacks River is closed to camping from April until the end of November so you defiantly would have to plan your route well. I have been to the Cohutta twice this spring and had a wonderful time. The Hemp Top trail was pretty easy and there is good camping at Double Spring Gap. If you wanted to explore the Big Frog Wilderness area of the park there are many good trails in that direction as well. My buddy and I are planing an overnight that would entail a portion of the East Cowpen trail, Panther trail, and the Conasauga River trail, with just a bit of forest road hiking to make a nice loop. Distance around 18 to 20 miles I believe. Check out my pictures for an idea of Hemp Top
http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/album/lxwvhu6y.php”