Cohutta Wilderness Beginner’s Welcome

If you are new to backpacking and want to take on a mild challenge, come on out!  This is a moderate backpacking trip that follows the Rice Camp Trail to Jacks River.  One way is approximately 4.5 miles, 1300 ft elevation gain out, 500 ft back.  The campsites are situated along the banks of the Jacks River.  

Starting at about mile one the trail crosses the Rice Camp Creek approximately ten times thru mile two. Altoug the creek is typically shallow water shoes and trekking poles are recommended because the rocks are slippery and it may not be possible to rock hop every crossing.

Hiking pace will be about 2.5 mph.  We'll be stopping often to "collect" the group along the trail.

The drive from the highway to the parking area is mostly on gravel roads and takes about 40-minutes.  Along this route THERE ARE TWO VEHICLE FORDS [CROSSINGS] OF THE CONASAUGA RIVER, so appropriate cars/SUVs/trucks are recommended.  If your car has a low clearance, you would not want to attempt the fords.

We should be starting the hike at 11 am.  We'll eat lunch around 12:30 along the trail.  There are not a lot of campsites, so we will want to arrive as soon as we can.  At camp, we'll set up our tents, gather firewood, relax and enjoy the gorgeous scenery and each others' company.  

On Saturday afternoon, we can take an optional hike to the crown jewel of Cohutta: Jacks River Fall.  This is approximately a two-mile round trip hike from the campsite and we will have to cross the wide Jacks River.  The water level at the crossing varies from ankle to thigh high, so water shoes and trekking poles are recommended for this.

On Sunday morning, we will take our time enjoying breakfast, the morning sun hopefully, and will plan to start hiking out by 10:30 or 11:00.  On the way home, we can stop in Chatsworth for an after trail meal.

Rice Camp Trial info

Google Maps Link

From the GA 52-US 411 intersection in 
Chatsworth, travel US 411 North approximately 13.4 miles, past Eton toward Tennga, to the community 
of Cisco. In Cisco, turn right onto the paved road immediately before the Cisco Baptist Church, also on the right. Once part 
of GA 2, this road is now known as Old GA 2. This road is also FS 16. 
Continue on FS 16 (the pavement ends; stay to the right at the fork; pass 
Hopewell Church; cross the Conasauga River) for approximately 7.9 miles, then turn right onto FS 51. Proceed about 4.8 miles} making two 
fords. The fords may require a utility vehicle in wet weather. You will 
find the Rice Camp trailhead, bulletin board, and parking area on the left. As you approach, Rice Camp Trail is to the left and East Cowpen 
Trail is straight ahead into the wilderness.  (The road dead-ends at the trailhead.)

This trip will not be cancelled due to weather unless the prediction is for A LOT of rain.  Be prepared for cold temperatures.  I'll send out a weather report prior to the trip.