Cohutta Wilderness Grand Tour

This backpacking trip hits all of the main areas the Cohuttas have to offer over roughly 48 miles. That is to say there will be 50+ water crossings,  2 waterfalls, mountain views, and a couple monster hills.  If that sounds like a good time this might be the perfect hike for you. With that being said this is definitely not a trip for beginners and I may contact you if you do not have several other recent D6 backpacking trips.

We will be using the Tearbritches, Hickory Creek, Rice Camp, Jacks River, Penitentiary Branch, Hemptop, Benton Mackaye, Rough Ridge, East Cowpen, Panther Creek, Conasauga River, and Chestnut Lead Trails.

We will begin the day at the Chestnut Lead Trail head and walk roughly 1.5 miles  up the the gravel road to the Tearbritches trail head. From there we will start making our way around the wilderness in a clockwise "loop" after doing it both directions I feel that this is the easier direction going down both Tearbritches and Panther Creek trails.

There are over 50 river and creek crossing on this trip ranging from ankle to waist deep depending on the amount of rain recently received. You will get wet repeatedly. 

Additionally while there are quite a few fairly level sections of trail the up hills that we will encounter will be very steep and strenous. 

I plan on keeping a steady fairly quick pace and intend on hiking long days starting early and ending late. I do not recommend bringing many camping amenities such as saws or heavy chairs seeing that you won't get a lot of time to use them.  If you do bring them no whining about the pace or long days. I essentially plan on hiking until roughly 30-60 minutes before dark the first day and getting started 30-60 after the first light in the morning. This is to make sure we finish the trail at a reasonable time on Sunday. Last time I did it solo and was off the trail before 2pm on Sunday but I would expect a group to take a bit longer.

*Most people really like the added balance offered by hiking poles so they are recommend but not required. I will not have them on me but that definitely doesn't mean that is the right choice for everyone. Additionally you will need footwear that you can hike in while they are wet. We will not be stopping at every river crossing to change/remove shoes. I like my trail runners but many people like to have water shoes such as keens or tevas.

Car pool note: The last 9 or so miles to the trailhead are down gravel roads. The roads are in good shape and cars should have no problem making it but it would probably be easier if people with people with SUVs or Trucks were willing to drive.

Map of the route seen below. Please note that this is simply traced on the map and not an actual GPS track. From experience the actual mileage tends to be about 10% more than shown below.

Click here for directions from the carpool to the event