Cohutta Waterfalls Loop

This loop hits the two main waterfalls(Jacks River and Panther Creek Falls) without going through quite as many river crossings as some other Cohutta options. With that being said it does go through one of the tougher Jacks River crossings.

The plan is to start at the Rice Camp Trailhead and loop around using the Hickory Creek, Conasauga River, Panther Creek, East Cowpen, Hickory Ridge, Jacks River and Rice Camp trails. You should expect to get wet potentially up to your waist at the two Jacks River crossings but most of the numerous other crossing should be about shin to knee deep. The route is roughly 20 miles with just under 4000 feet of elevation gain. I am making this a D5 due to the distance, water crossings, and the steep boulder field near Panther Creek Falls.  The first day will be significantly shorter(7.5 miles) with the planned campsite being Panther creek falls. The second day will cover 12.5 miles with lunch at Jacks River Falls.

Please make sure that you have a change of warm dry clothes to change into for the night. The temperatures are starting to drop and you will be getting to camp with at least wet shoes and socks.

You may want to consider bringing hiking poles for the river crossings but they are not required. Additionally know that we will not be stopping at every crossing to change shoes and you should be able to walk in wet shoes.

The drive to the trailhead is down dirt roads. There are two places on the road that you will need to drive through shallow streams. I plan on driving one vehicle but we will need another driver that has an appropriate vehicle if we get over 4 people. The drive isn't terrible but it probably shouldn't be a standard car. I expect us to get back around dinner time on Saturday but you should not make other plans for that night in case something unexpected happens.

Route:

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 7.9miles, 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.