Bear Creek Trail

This loop trail follows Bear Creek, and features the second largest tree in North Georgia, the Gennett Poplar, which is named for the family who sold the land to the United State government.

The trail goes through a pristine forest with enourmous trees. One mile from the trailhead is the Gennett poplar standing 100 feet high and nearly seven feet in diameter. The tree is enormous, and going to see it is a good enough reason to do this hike.

Along the trail are several stream crossings. If you are good at hopping on stones there is no reason to get your feet wet, unless it rained hard in the days previous to the hike. There are some scenic views of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Wildlife is abundant, so be prepared for some interesting sights, especially if the weather is hot and dry.

The elevation change is around 1100 ft.

Go to http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=10473&actid=50 for more information. You may also want to do a Google search.

There is limited parking at the trailhead.

Take Ga 52 west from the Ellijay traffic circle for 5 miles. Turn right onto Gates Chapel Road and go about 5 miles to Forest Service Road 241 marked as "Bear Creek Trail." Turn right and travel just over 1.0 miles to where the road to the Pinhoti Trail Bear Creek trailhead comes off to the right. Keep left and travel a total of just over 2.0 miles to the Bear Creek Trailhead. Just before the trailhead, the Pinhoti Trail comes in from the left, then FS 241 crosses Bear Creek on a bridge.

Please bear in mind that you will have to drive 7 miles on Forest Service gravel roads. Although the trails are well-maintained and are accessible to cars, there are a few potholes.