East Cowpen Trail
This moderately difficult to strenuous
trail is a good, high-elevation trail, which follows the former route
of Old Highway 2, on which erosion control was done before it was closed.
Though not necessarily a good destination trail, it can provide relatively
quick access to other trails.
Approximate hike length: 7 miles.
Directions:
Southern trail head from Ellijay 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. At the FS 68/FS 64 three-way intersection, At the three-way
junction, take FS 64 right for 4.4 miles to the East Cowpen parking
lot.
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 at 1 mile. Take the right fork at the Y 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. Follow FS 16 just across the Tennessee state
line to the northwestern trail head of the Jacks River Trail. (Note
that FS 51 branches to the right just after crossing the river.) After
crossing the Conasauga River, turn right on FS 51. Travel 4.8 miles
to the trail heads of Rice Camp and East Cowpen. Hickory Creek Trail
Activities: hiking
Facilities:
Fees:
Closest town:
For more information:
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.
