Ride
Our Nation's Trails: Part III
Discover
Georgia's National Forests from Horseback
By Georgia
Brown
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Tired
of riding the same old trails? Selecting one of these trails
in Georgia’s National Forests may be just the pick-me-up
you and your trusty horse need. In Georgia a ford across a crystal
clear stream may take you into a neighboring state, plus you
have a choice of seasonal “must do that” rides for
leaf peeking and wild flower gazing. With all of the possible
trails to follow, it’s hard to decide what to do first.
Make sure you have a good map with you, or carefully study the
one on the board at the trailhead or you may see a lot more
of the forest than you planned!
Chattahoochee
National Forest
The
Chattahoochee National Forest in the Southern Appalachians
has more than 200 miles of trails and old roads specifically
designated for horseback riders. Campgrounds of varying comfort
levels and trailer-friendly parking areas are in place for
everyone’s enjoyment.
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Be
sure to leave a trip plan with a relative or friend and the
nearest ranger office. Cell phones do not work in many areas,
and by posting a return time, you’ll be able get more
immediate help if you get in trouble.
Only eight percent of visitors to the Georgia National Forest
use the horse trails. Responsible riders appreciate the privilege
and leave no trace. Riding muddy horse trails (above your
horse’s hoof) should be avoided because it can cause
surface erosion. Unplanned excursions off designated trails
can impact sensitive stream banks, disturb wildlife habitats
or cross culturally sensitive sites.
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Finding your own comfort level is the key to an enjoyable
trip. There are many degrees of camping styles starting with
primitive sites that require you bring in everything you need
including water. The reward is a rich wilderness experience.
Other sites have drinking water, wash racks and features like
streams for watering horses.
If
you are the heated-bathroom and hot-shower type, go with it.
More developed campgrounds usually charge a fee, so bring
exact change for the box, and remember that most will be first-come,
first-served.
Half the fun is armchair traveling, so enjoy a quick read
about some of the most popular horse trails.
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Pinhoti
Trail System
Armuchee (1) & Cohutta (2) Ranger Districts
The Pinhoti Trail connects major long-distance trails in Alabama
to the Appalachian Trial via the Benton MacKaye Trail. When
completed, the Georgia portion will be about 155 miles long,
with sections open to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers.
Southwest of Dalton and Calhoun in the Chattahoochee National
Forest are six sections with horse trails totaling about 57
miles.
Two excellent trails, Horn Mountain and John’s Mountain,
offer about 15 miles of continuous forested trail, with large
equestrian parking lots at each end.
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Grady
Collins crosses the creek on the Sumac Creek Trail in the Cohutta
area of the Chattahoochee.
Photo by Larry Wheat.
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Day-trip
riders can depart from the Snake Creek Gap parking lot, located
10.5 miles west of I-75 on GA 136. After a two-mile climb,
the trail continues along the ridge of Horn Mountain for another
two miles before descending to Gentry Gap. Horse trailers
can also reach the Gentry Gap parking area by Forest Service
road 233. Nearby is a primitive camp with a small stream nearby
that provides drinking water for horses.
The Georgia Pinhoti Trail continues southwestward up and around
the north face of John’s Mountain descending into the
Dry Creek region on the west side of the mountain. Primitive
dispersed camping with ample water for horses is available
here and at East Armuchee Creek. Nearby is another large equestrian
parking lot with toilets.
Armuchee-Cohutta
Trails
Armuchee (1) & Cohutta (2) Ranger Districts
The Iron Mountain Trail near Cisco offers river fords and
a spectacular view from an overlook carved into the mountain
that gives a clear view across the valley to Iron Mountain.
The 12-mile loop passes through grassy wildlife clearings
and gradually ascends to views of the rugged Cohutta Mountains.
At the four-mile point the trail crosses the Conasauga River
into Tennessee’s Nantahala National Forest. Campers
use Cottonwood Patch Horse Camp, a primitive site with 10
spaces, hitching posts, toilets and a spring fed horse trough.
Nearby
the Sumac Creek Trail north of Chatsworth is a double-loop
trail of 12.5 miles that has both the ease of flat, double-track
trails and challenging steep ascents and descents. From high,
narrow ridge lines, the trail drops into the rugged Sumac
Creek drainage area three times. Its large parking lot makes
it an ideal base for an all day ride. For overnighters, Jacks
River Field Camp is an open area primitive camp with access
to other hiking trails and the 2.6-mile South Fork Horse Trail.
Trails in the Cohutta Wilderness Area on the Georgia-Tennessee
border offer a wilderness experience for equestrians who want
to pack-in all their own supplies and haul out their trash.
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Riders enjoying the view on trails at the Jake Mountain/Bull
Mountain trail system in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Photo by Larry Wheat |
Jake
Mountain/Bull Mountain Trail
Toccoa Ranger District (3)
The Jake Mountain/Bull Mountain trail system, located a few
miles west of Dahlonega, offers moderate climbs over mountain
ridges. In fall the abundance of hardwoods in the forest put
on a brilliant show. This well maintained network provides
about 40 miles of gravel forest roads and trails open to equestrians,
mountain bicyclists and hikers. Several streams, Moss Creek,
Lance Creek and Black Branch, cross the area and provide water
for horses. A day-use equestrian parking lot and separate
equestrian primitive camping facilities are provided on a
first-come, first served basis.
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Frady Branch Trail System
Chattooga Ranger District (4)
The Frady Branch Trail System has a large parking lot off
Hwy 184 that accommodates 10-15 trailers. Leatherwood Creek,
Pear Orchard Loop and Frady Branch all cross sparkling streams.
Dispersed camping is allowed wherever signs are not posted.
Farther north the terrain becomes more rugged. There are three
wilderness areas and some spectacular vistas from high points
along the Upper Chattahoochee River.
Worth mentioning for hikers, is the Appalachian Trail, which
has views of the Chattahoochee River. It passes through the16,000-acre
Mark Trail Wilderness named for the comic strip.
If you enjoy history or would like to trace ancestors who
homesteaded in the area, the Faded Footprints of Family and
Friends organization offers walking tours to old homesteads,
mills and cemeteries.
Willis
Knob Trail System and Horse Camp
Tallulah Ranger Distict (5)
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The
Willis Knob Trail in the northeast corner of the state offers
overviews of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, some of
the most scenic riding opportunities in the Southern Appalachians.
Summers are cooler because of its elevation, although it gets
more rainfall than the rest of Georgia. This 15-mile loop
in Tallulah Ranger District crosses the river at three fords
and connects with Rocky Gap Trail in South Carolina. High
water levels may make it difficult to cross the fords (Adline
Branch is the preferred crossing; wide and shallow). It is
wise to check weather reports to avoid being trapped on the
opposite side of the river as your vehicle.
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 Photo
by Susan Alred |
The
Rocky Gap Camp has toilets, drinking water, nine campsites and
tie racks for horses. Advance reservations are required. Across
the river in Sumter National Forest, 10 campsites are available
by reservation at Whetstone Base Camp. Two trails in the area
(open to hikers only) are worth noting: the 10.7-mile Chattooga
River Trail and the 37-mile William Bartram Trail, named after
the early explorer and naturalist.
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Oconee
National Forest
Unlike the tall peaks of the Chattahoochee, the Oconee National
Forest is relatively flat with small hills. There are three
trails that are suitable for horseback riding near the Ocmulgee
River.
Kinard
Creek Trail System
Oconee Ranger District (6) |
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Low
waterfalls and rapids are the features of this foothill region,
a land of rolling hills covered with forests and dotted with
sparkling lakes. The Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge adjacent
to the forest has a network of trails that are perfect for a
leisurely horseback ride, especially from fall until April.
Only hikers and equestrians are permitted in the Kinard Creek
Trail System, which passes through old growth loblolly pine
forest, descending into cool, hardwood bottoms. Scenic short
trails of two to five miles generally follow the Ocmulgee River.
They offer easy walking or riding with some ups and downs and
views of the river.
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Photo
by Georgia Brown |
Nearby,
the Burgess Mountain Trail is a short spur accessed from a forest
road (park trailers on the shoulder) that climbs via an old
roadbed to the highest point in the Oconee National Forest,
645 feet. Wise Creek Hunt Camp, located on the river about 5
miles off the pavement, is operated on a first-come, first-served
basis. Other camps and a new trail head are under construction
to provide more accessibility to this peaceful environment.
Happy Trails
Wilderness trips require more effort packing your gear in and
refuse out; however, they are a path to greater appreciation
of our natural resources and build awareness of environmental
sensitivity. If you want to improve your skills, there are several
trail organizations that teach trail-savvy etiquette and safety,
promote healthy horses, and hold family-oriented events. Join
one for a fun and relaxing trip. |
A
GLANCE INTO GEORGIA’S PAST |
Early
pioneer families lived in harmony with Cherokee and
Creek Indians, mound builders and farmers who lived
peaceful lives hunting and fishing. After the Gold Rush
of 1828 an enormous influx of people with “gold
fever” demanded land. This led to the forcible
removal of the Cherokee people known as the “Trail
of Tears,” a trek west that few survived. Their
lands were given away in land lotteries.
In the 1880s railroads were built to reach the remote
stands of hardwoods, Chestnut and Hemlock trees. When
the hills were depleted of lumber, most drifted away.
In 1911 the land in four North Georgia counties was
purchased by the National Forest Service for about $7
an acre. Most of it was land that had been abandoned
by early homesteaders, disappointed gold miners and
timber companies who had moved westward.
During the Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps,
or CCC, formed work crews to provide a living wage for
unemployed men in the South. They built brawny log structures
that survive today as park headquarters and lodges,
monuments to the American spirit. |
Trail
Organizations & Websites of Interest |
Trail organizations advocate
safe, environmentally sound multi-use trails shared
by hikers, equestrians, and off-road bicyclists:
Back Country Horsemen of North Georgia www.bchng.org
Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association (CTHA) www.ctha-ride.org
Georgia Endurance Riders www.geraonline.org
Georgia Horse Council www.georgiahorsecouncil.com/trails
Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association www.georgiapinhoti.org
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest www.fs.fed.us/conf
About North Georgia www.ngeorgia.com
Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area www.lrwma.com
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Call for Directions, Conditions and Reservations
- Map Key
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1. Armuchee Ranger District, Lafayette, 706-638-1085
2. Cohutta Ranger District, Chatsworth, 706-695-6736
3. Toccoa Ranger District, Blue Ridge, 706-632-3031
4. Chatooga Ranger District, Clarksville, 706-754-6221
5. Tallulah Ranger District, Clayton, 706-782-3320
6. Oconee Ranger District, Eatonton, 706-485-7110
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Georgia
Brown is a freelance travel writer who frequently writes
about horses. She raised horses for several years and
learned many life lessons while competing in dressage
and distance trail riding with a gentlemanly Arbian
Stallion that live to the ripe old age of 33. She currently
lives in Sarasota, Florida.. |
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