AtlantaOutdoorClub
sponsor
Print-Friendly Version
Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)
Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar


REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Jacks River Trail and Falls




The Basics:
STATUS: Cancelled - Hide from Calendar
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Cohutta Wilderness , GA   Hike: Jacks River Trail and Falls  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jun 29 2019  6:30 am >> Sat, Jun 29 2019 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Jun 24 2019 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Jun 29 2019 6:15 am
Event Duration:13 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:17 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Eric P
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

The Cohutta Wilderness is one of my favorite spots in Georgia and a great place to spend a hot summer day.

Along the course of the hike we will have 20+ river fords and a waterfall. The route we take starting at Dally Gap and looping around with the Hemp Top, Penitentiary Branch and Jacks River Trails should be about 16 miles. I expect the moving pace to be moderate on the easy parts but considerably slower on the slippery river crossings. The plan will be to eat lunch at Jacks River Falls and spend some time swimming. No jumping from the cliffs is allowed on our event because I don't want to risk a major injury.

The elevation gain on the hike is fairly gentle especially for a D5, the most tiresome part tends to be climbing over and through blowdowns. The amount we have to navigate through is highly dependent on recent weather. Even at a good time it tends to be more than an average trail because they are almost entirely maintained by volunteers without the benefit of power tools due to it being an official wilderness area. If you are interested in helping to maintain the trails check out https://www.meetup.com/Cohutta-Wilderness-Trail-Volunteers/

The first few miles are on wide and dry easy trails however once we reach the river you will get wet and should expect shin to waist deep water at these crossings, although the average crossing tends to be shin to knee deep. 

*Most people really like the added balance offered by hiking poles so they are recommend but not required. Poles also come in handy on the one extended downhill section if you have bad knees. 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. Please only wear something that you are used to hiking in. Generally any non-waterproof trail runner or hiking shoe will work well. I definitely suggest to stay away from anything gortex because they are heavy and tend to trap the water in.


Reasons you may like this hike:

  1. Very scenic
  2. Splashing back and forth through the river
  3. Swimming at the falls

 

Reasons you may not like this hike:

  1. Fear of getting wet
  2. Gone all day. It is likely we will get back between 7 and 8 but plan on being gone all day in case something out of the ordinary happens.
  3. More blowdowns than an average hike

 


Required Items to Bring:

Lunch and snacks

Water and possibly a filter if you don't want to carry it all

Clothes appropriate for the weather. You may consider long pants and long sleeves to help with bugs and overgrown trails.

Dry Clothes for the car

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Sun screen

Bug spray

Camera

Hiking Poles


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

We will be starting at Dally Gap https://goo.gl/maps/Uzi4m4BhWZ52

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):160Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $64.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

*Note: The dirt roads are generally in pretty good shape but if you plan on driving yourself or a carpool it helps to have higher clearance on your vehicle. Something like a Subaru Outback works great while a Honda Civic is a poor choice. If you drive yourself you are expected to be at the trailhead and ready to hike by 8:15 am.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.