Backpacking: Big Frog Wilderness

This is not a beginner backpacking trip!

Please make sure you are in good physical condition, have previous backpack experience and don't have issues with elevation changes while carrying full backpacks. We'll be hiking at a moderate pace and the total distance between the two days is approximately 12 ½ miles.

Come and join me for another backpacking adventure, but this time in the Big Frog Wilderness. Most everyone knows my love for the Cohutta Wilderness and how beautiful I think it is. Well, Big Frog Wilderness is directly above that area and is just as wonderful. Though there are no waterfalls or river crossings, if the day is clear, then we'll see some awesome winter mountain views from the ridges and the top of Big Frog Mtn.

Big Frog Mountain sits at 4224 ft. in elevation, which is our overnight destination. We’ll begin our 6 ½ mile gradual uphill climb at the Licklog Ridge Trailhead (1740 ft elevation). After a short 1.5 mile hike on the Licklog Ridge trail, we’ll cut over on the Rough Creek trail. At roughly 2 miles, we can stop for lunch at Rough Creek. It’s a fairly shallow crossing and is shallow enough to rock hop across without bringing water shoes, but of course hiking poles are always a plus for balance. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to filter water if you choose to do so. So, either pack water in for the whole overnight trip and carry no filter OR carry a water filter and filter at the 2 mile mark on the hike in. It’s up to you, but just to clarify, there are NO water sources on top of Big Frog or on the hike out on Sunday!

The trails will make a loop ascending one ridge to Big Frog Mtn. and descending down another ridge back to the cars on Sunday. Total mileage is approximately 12 ½ miles.

Please Read: The water source on top of Big Frog is dry. You'll need to filter at the 2 mile mark on the hike or or plan to carry all water from the start. My suggestion is to bring atleast 4-5 liters per person depending on how much you normally consume on a trail. (ex. of 5L. consumption: 2 liters to drink for the hike in, 1 liter to cook dinner, breakfast, clean, etc. with and 2 liters for the hike out.) Water is heavy, so make sure you prepare for carrying your other gear as well. If you don't need it leave it at home. Pack bare minimums so you can carry your water weight.