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Jacks River TrailWeather Information | 5 Trail Reports |
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| Distance: 16.7
miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation: 2578 feet USGS Quad: Hemp Top Camping: Primitive Campsites Water Availablity: Plentiful Blaze: Orange Management: Cohutta |
Region: North Central Subregion: Cohutta County: Fannin Nearest City: Ellijay Trail Type: Point to Point |
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| Description | ||||
| The trail is more easily walked along its downhill grade from the southern trailhead at Dally Gap. From the trailhead, the trail follows an old road that is wide and easily walked through a hardwood forest to the Jacks River and Bear Branch. It crosses the Benton Mackaye trail along the way. At mile 1.6, the trail approaches Bear Branch close enough for a view. At mile 2.3, the trail fors the Jacks River for the first time. Get used to it; there are 20 more fords to the falls and 22 more after that, a total of 42 for the entire trail. At mile 4.6 the fords become numerous and the trail becomes more level. At mile 7.1(ford 8), the trail meets Penitentiary Branch Trail the trail begins to climb away from the river to mile 8.0, where it intersects with Rough Creek. Across the creek, the Rough Ridge Trail begins. The Jacks River Trail turns right and parallels Rough Creek for a short distance, then turns away from the river and climbs to a ridge. Then it descends to its final ford before the falls. At mile 8.6 the trail meets Hickory Ridge Trail (yellow blazed). Another 50 yards further is Beech Bottom Trail which has no blazes. The trail continues to follow the river downstream to some cliffs above Jacks River Falls at mile 9.2. Beyond the falls, the trail continues along an old railroad bed back down to the river at mile 10.3. From there the trail returns to it's pattern of frequently fording the river unti lit reaches mile 14.8. From here, the trail paralleles the river from a distance that just allows long range views. The trail finally ends at a bridge, adjacent to Alaculsy Valley |
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| Highlights | ||||
| mi 2.6, 3.6 - views of the Jacks River; mi 9.2 - Jacks River Falls; mi 11.8 - view of Horseshoe Bend | ||||
| Notes | ||||
| Don't bother trying to rock hop all of the fords. It's better to just bring an extra pair or shoes or sandals that you don't mind getting wet. | ||||
| Directions | ||||
| Northwestern Trailhead (Alaculsy Valley) From Chattsworth, Go north for approx 13 miles on US 441. Then turn right (east) onto Old Hwy 2, maked by a green sign. This turn is somewhat easy to miss and is immediately before you get to the Cisco Baptst Church. Continue on Hwy 2 until reaching the three way intersection of FS-16 and FS-17. From there, continue straight on FS-16 for 5.5 miles to the intersection of FS-16 and FS-221. The trailhead parking is to the right across the large iron bridge spanning the Jacks River. The trailhead is conspicuously marked with a bulletin board and large parking area. Southeastern Trailhead (Dally Gap) From the three way intersection of TN-68, GA-60, and GA-5 in McCaysville on the TN/GA border, go north on TN-68 for approx 1.6 miles. Turn left onto unmarked County Road 251 at the Tumbling Creek Campground sign. Once on 251, continue straight ahead along the paved road for approximately 5.5 miles until you reach the three-way intersection of FS-221, FS-65, and County Rd 251, marked by another sign for the Tumbling Creek Campground. Cross the bridge and continue straight (south) along FS-65 then FS-22 for approximately 8.0 miles to the Dally Gap trailhead. FS-65 becomes dirt road at 0.5 miles and becomes FS-22 as it enters Georgia. There are two marked trailheads to the left side of the road. The Jacks River Trail is the one that heads downhill beyond the bulletin board. |
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