HICKORY CREEK
Cohutta Wilderness Area
National Forest Service
401 Old Ellijay Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705
(706) 695-6736
The Cohutta Wilderness at 36,977 acres is the largest National Forest Wilderness in the southeast and combined with the Big Frog Wilderness in Tennessee the area is some of the most pristine and isolated in the South. Both the Conasauga and Jacks Rivers are stocked with trout and have great fishing. There’s also numerous sand bars, waterfalls, pools, and campsites along the rivers which makes this a very popular overnight destination.
On this hike we followed the Hickory Creek Trail to the junction of the Conasauga and Jacks River Trails. It’s just over a mile to the river and there is a campsite where the two trails meet. If you are feeling more ambitious – you can cross the Conasauga and follow the Conasauga River Trail deeper in the wilderness, or turn right on the Jacks River Trail and hike upstream on the Conasauga. Either way, this is beautiful country.
Backpacker Magazine
Outside Magazine- click to watch videos from this hike down the Hickory Creek Trail: Compilation Video, Hickory Creek Crossing, Trail Junction, Whitewater Will
- click to see trail photos from this hike at the Cohutta Wilderness Area: June 5, 2018
- click to view a trip report for this descent to the Jacks River: June 5, 2018 (password required)
- click to view trail maps for this hike in the Cohutta Wilderness: area map, detailed map, profile map
- click for the hiking and backpacking trails discussion forum for Southeastern Destinations
- click to access the guidebook Hiking Trails Of The Cohutta & Big Frog Wilderness which has details on this hike on the Conasauga River
- click for other Georgia hiking and backpacking books
- click for other hikes in the Cohutta & Big Frog Wilderness
- click here to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
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