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Cross the shallow Penitentiary Branch stream at 5.5 miles, and turn to the northwest to hike parallel with the water. Less than a half mile farther, the trail ends beside Jacks River on a shaded plot of flat ground with wide-open spaces (Waypoint 3). To return to Dally Gap, retrace your steps to the Hemp Top Trail, or you can cross the river to return on the Jacks River Trail (ssss1).

WAYPOINTS

1. N34º 56.013' W84º 31.139'

2. N34º 57.257' W84º 31.369'

3. N34º 57.417' W84º 33.079'

5 COHUTTA WILDERNESS: Jacks River Trail

ssss1

Distance 14.2 miles, out-and-back (or 12.7-mile loop if returning via Penitentiary Branch Trail)

Hiking Time 4–5 hours

Difficulty Easy to moderate

Elevation +/–1,140' (+2,690'/–1,850' if returning via Penitentiary Branch)

Trail Use Backpacking

Best Times Spring, summer, and fall

Agency Chattahoochee National Forest, Conasauga Ranger District

Recommended Map National Geographic Trails Illustrated Springer and Cohutta Mountains Chattahoochee National Forest

HIGHLIGHTS A massive amount of timber was pulled from the Cohutta Wilderness in the 1900s, with four logging camps employing 300 to 400 men. The effort grew so intense that when logging began along Jacks River in 1929, a railway was built to carry out the lumber. By the late 1930s, the tracks were removed, and now all that remains are a few stone supports and scattered scraps of wood and metal. What thrives now is the popular Jacks River Trail, which follows the old rail bed through magnificent forest of hemlocks, oaks, hickories, and ferns. The trip outlined below includes 7.1 miles of the Jacks River Trail, though the path totals 16.7 miles on its journey across the wilderness. This can certainly be done as a long day hike, but ample areas for camping lie along the way.