Cohutta Mountain Loop...anyone?

**shanewalker10** · 01-23-2011, 22:47

I was wondering if any one has done the Cohutta mountain loop (East Cowpen trail, hickory ridge trail, Jacks river trail, rough ride trail) up in north Georgia. Just wonder how it is and how difficult it is. Also if their are some good places for a few hammocks...thanks

http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewT...x?tripId=36478

**wisenber** · 01-23-2011, 23:24

Originally Posted by shanewalker10

I was wondering if any one has done the Cohutta mountain loop (East Cowpen trail, hickory ridge trail, Jacks river trail, rough ride trail) up in north Georgia. Just wonder how it is and how difficult it is. Also if their are some good places for a few hammocks...thanks

http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewT...x?tripId=36478

I've been on the North end. You'll not have any trouble finding sites for hammocks. Just keep an eye out for widowmakers if you wind up near a bunch of hemlocks.

**lazyboy** · 01-24-2011, 08:17

Rough but worth it. Check out sherpa guides on the internet, good directions and descriptions. Good food storage practice a must!!! Black Bears a plenty.

**stevebo** · 01-28-2011, 21:32

I did the loop several years ago-------------very cool,(very wild, very beautiful and remote) but a lot of work! I believe the campsites next to jacks river falls are restricted most of the year, but last i looked, during the winter months, camping was permitted---I would check with the forest service. Also, if youve ever seen Jacks river at flood stage, its pretty impressive, and definitely a "show stopper". When I hiked it, I came up the sugar cove trail---------if it was wet and muddy , that would be a "challenging " hike----very, very steep! (I would also check with the Forest service about the condition of the access roads etc----you are going a long way on some pretty desolate forest service roads (some times they close the roads due to flooding etc) good luck--and have a great time!

**skrewloose** · 01-28-2011, 22:09

Hey shanewalker, I did the JRT in Oct of 09'.
With some 40 plus river crossings, I came out with 2 sprained ankles and I rolled my knee, but it was all worth it.
It was an amazing and challenging two day hike.

**Youngblood** · 01-28-2011, 22:10

Originally Posted by stevebo

I did the loop several years ago-------------very cool,(very wild, very beautiful and remote) but a lot of work! I believe the campsites next to jacks river falls are restricted most of the year, but last i looked, during the winter months, camping was permitted---I would check with the forest service. Also, if youve ever seen Jacks river at flood stage, its pretty impressive, and definitely a "show stopper". When I hiked it, I came up the sugar cove trail---------if it was wet and muddy , that would be a "challenging " hike----very, very steep! (I would also check with the Forest service about the condition of the access roads etc----you are going a long way on some pretty desolate forest service roads (some times they close the roads due to flooding etc) good luck--and have a great time!

The Sugar Cove Trail got taken out by a landslide a few years back and was taken out of service. The signs at the trail junctions were taken down. I haven't been up that way in a couple of years so I don't know what its status is.

**ShadowAlpha** · 01-28-2011, 22:31

skrewloose - nice pics!

**shanewalker10** · 01-29-2011, 10:32

thanks for the all the info...sounds like a pretty tough area to hike...i'm glad yall told me to call before i go to, I probably would have just gone and then been dissappointed

**wisenber** · 01-29-2011, 12:21

Originally Posted by skrewloose

Hey shanewalker, I did the JRT in Oct of 09'.
With some 40 plus river crossings, I came out with 2 sprained ankles and I rolled my knee, but it was all worth it.
It was an amazing and challenging two day hike.

Two sprained ankles and a rolled knee! What more could anyone ask?!

**stevebo** · 01-29-2011, 16:26

Young blood, thanks for the info about the sugar cove trail---------I was not aware of that (but I could definitely see that happining! ) My son and I are planning a cohuttas trip this summer---I'm glad you mentioned that!