Conasauga River Trail
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From Ellijay for southeastern trail head at Betty Gap.: From the Ellijay Square, travel west on GA 52 for 9.5 miles to FS 18. There is a sign for Lake Conasauga Recreation Area; turn right. After 1.3 miles the pavement ends. At the fork, bear left over a one-lane bridge. At 3.5 miles turn sharply to the right onto FS 68. At 4.5 miles is a good picnic area, and at 5.7 miles is Holly Creek Checking Station. At 6 miles is a three-way junction with FS 64. From the FS 68/FS 64 three-way junction, turn right onto FS 64 and travel 1.4 miles to the Conasauga River Trail sign and parking area. Betty gap.
13.1 miles. Marked by yellow blazes, a moderately difficult hiking trail that fords the river 38 times. Large Eastern hemlock trees are a feature of this trail, which is the roadbed of an old railroad. Bray Field is a popular, but sometimes crowded, camping area.
Approximate hike length: 13.1 miles
Activities: hiking
For more information:
From Cisco for northwestern trail head.:From Chatsworth take US 411 north 13.2 miles to Cisco community and intersection with Old Highway 2 (also known as FS 16). At .7 mile pass County Road 169 on the right. The pavement ends 1 mile. Take the right fork at the intersection at 1.6 miles. (County Road 210 bears left.) At 3.2 miles, FS 17 comes in from the right, FS 16 goes left. Turn right onto FS 17 at the Conasauga River Trail sign. Go straight on FS 17 for 3.6 miles and turn left at FS 17-B and another Conasauga River Trail sign. FS 17-B ends shortly at the trail head and parking area.
Some roads are closed depending on weather conditions, so it is recommended that one call the Cohutta Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service at (706) 695-6737 in advance of a trip to check road conditions.