Walls of Jericho (An AOC First!)

Note: this event has been edited from it's previous posting as a D3. Additional mileage and ascent was added to visit other attractions resulting in a change of difficulty.

Please note, we have never done this hike.  It's only rated as a D3 hike, but it is very steep with almost 1100 feet of descent and ascent over a short distance.  It's a borderline D3-D4 hike. Please do not sign up if you do not have recent D3 experience or if steep elevation changes are a challenge for you.  

** About the Walls of Jericho **

The Walls of Jericho in Jackson County, Alabama, is being called “The Grand Canyon of the South.”  More than 10,000 hikers, amateur photographers, birdwatchers and horseback riders have explored this natural marvel since it opened in August 2004. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley officially dedicated the area in April 2005.

In the late 1700s, Davy Crockett explored the area since his family owned land there. A traveling minister came upon the Walls of Jericho in the late 1800s and was so captivated by the cathedral-like beauty that he declared it needed a biblical name and the name stuck.  Today, visitors continue to be drawn to the grandeur of the narrow gorge.  In a heavy rain, water shoots out of holes and cracks in the rock.  Flora and fauna are abundant.  The Walls of Jericho itself is a large, bowl-shaped natural amphitheater.

The gorge is just one piece of The Walls of Jericho tract, which was purchased by the State of Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust, with the help of The Nature Conservancy in 2004, as part of its mandate to acquire land for public use. The entire tract of land is comprised of 21,453 acres- 12,510 acres inAlabama and 8,943 acres in Tennessee. The only public access to the land is in Jackson County, Alabama. The property adjoins the Skyline Wildlife Management Area. A 100-mile trail system is presently in the planning stages, expanding future opportunities to enjoy the tract's many features.

** Hike Details **

This is a shuttle hike, which means we start at one trailhead and end up at another.  The 2 trailheads are less than 3 miles apart.

Exploring the headwaters of the Paint Rock River, this difficult 7-mile shuttle hike straddles the Tennessee-Alabama state line as it delves deep into a ravine. After dropping off a car or 2 at the Alabama trailhead, we will drive 2.25 miles north to start the trek in Tennessee. Descending nearly 1100 feet, the white-blazed trail (red on the Alabama side) crosses several creeks, streams, and horse paths on its way down to a skinny log bridge over Mill Creek.

After passing a field clearing (a popular campsite area for overnighters) the trail continues on the south side of Turkey Creek on an often muddy and slippery path. At mile 3.7, we'll reach the Walls of Jericho natural amphitheater, take a break and have lunch.  Feel free to take a swim if the water is suited for it.

We will relax and wander around the amphitheater and neighboring falls.  After enjoying the sights and sounds, we will return to the Mill Creek log bridge and begin the 1,000+ foot difficult ascent through rock outcroppings up to the Alabama trailhead.

On the way back, we can go back the way we came, or alternatively head to Chattanooga for a relaxing dinner. 

** Note about Dogs **

Dogs are welcome!  If you plan to bring a dog, please disclose that you are bringing one and also please indicate what type of hiking your dog has done recently.  We need to coordinate vehicles carefully since this is a shuttle hike.

From the Chastain Road Park n Ride:

** Note, Google Maps prefers to send you through Chattanooga (few minutes faster but longer).  We are going through Adairsville and Summersville which is over 30 miles shorter.   After the hike, we might follow Google Maps on the trip home if we stop for dinner in Chattanooga, hence the total mileage reflects that. **

Take I-75 North to exit 306 for GA-140 W
Turn left onto GA-140 W/Folsom Rd SE, follow for 16.0 miles
Turn right onto GA-1 N/US-27 N, follow for 13.9 miles
Turn left onto GA-48 W, follow for 12.6 miles
(Entering Alabama)
GA-48 W becomes AL-117
Continue onto AL-117 N for 10.4 miles
Turn right onto AL-117 N/AL-7/US-11 N, follow for 0.1 miles
Take the 1st left onto AL-117 N/AL-40 W, follow for 23.9 miles
Turn right onto AL-35 N/Veterans Dr, follow for 4.3 miles
Turn left onto E Willow St, follow for 4.5 miles
Turn right onto AL-79 N, follow for 21.2 miles
Trail head will be on left